As the NHS enters its tenth month of strike action, junior doctors and consultants are set to strike together for the first time this week.
The 96 hours of continuous strikes will start tomorrow (Tuesday 19 September) until Saturday 23 and NHS Greater Manchester has warned there will be significant disruption to services.
Junior doctors and consultants are striking over pay disputes between the Government and trade unions. Consultants will begin striking 7am Tuesday to 7am Thursday, while junior doctors are striking from 7am Wednesday to 7am Saturday.
Both groups will strike together on Wednesday 20 – leading to “Christmas Day” staffing levels.
Dilraj Sandher, executive medical director for Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care, said: “Staff continue to work hard to provide patients with the best possible care. People should know we have plans in place to ensure we have safe staffing levels for patients who do need urgent help.”
NHS Greater Manchester stress emergency care will still be available and people should ring 999 if required.
GP surgeries will remain open but they are expected to be particularly busy during the industrial action.
Patients with hospital and GP appointments are to attend as planned, unless told otherwise.
Health leaders are also urging members of the public to use NHS 111 Online for all non-emergency healthcare needs, such as finding general health information and getting an emergency supply of prescribed medication.
Many local pharmacies are open early until late and can be found on the NHS.UK website.
The Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care service is available from 8am to 10pm 7 days a week, assisting with severe dental pain and infection.
Patients will be assessed by a healthcare professional, who will provide self-care advice or a face-to-face appointment if required.
Additionally, free urgent eyecare is available across 10 areas of Greater Manchester.
Urgent mental health support can be accessed by contacting the 24/7 helplines listed below.
Local NHS services will be using their websites and social media platforms to provide up to date information about service disruption.
More strikes are planned for consultants and junior doctors at all NHS hospitals across Greater Manchester, set to last 72 hours, from 7am Monday 2 October until 7am Thursday 5 October.
Mr Sandher said: “Whilst respecting colleagues’ right to take industrial action, we hope a resolution will be found soon.”
Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care service: 0333 332 3800
Mental Health Helplines: Bolton, Manchester, Salford, Trafford, and Wigan 0800 953 0285 (freephone)
Bury, Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport, and Tameside 0800 014 9995 (freephone)
NHS Greater Manchester Community Urgent Eye Care Service (CUES) – Primary Eyecare Services.
Featured picture from @unitetheunion, used with permission.
