Industrial action update

The NHS and Local Authorities in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are working hard to keep people safe during the planned strikes, while delivering the best care possible. 

The next planned industrial action is from junior doctors, with strike action planned at a number of NHS trusts on Monday 13 March, Tuesday 14 March, and Wednesday 15 March 2023. In Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, this includes Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust.

Patient safety is our top priority. We would like to reassure you that we are working together across the system to try and mitigate the disruption to the public. We are committed to keeping disruption caused by the industrial action to a minimum.

Appointments

If you have an appointment at our hospitals, please attend unless you hear from us. Please don’t call to check if your appointment is going ahead. We will be in touch with patients directly if we need to rearrange an appointment.

Our emergency departments (ED)

Our emergency departments remains open 24 hours a day if you have a life-threatening emergency.

No-one should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes and people with serious, life-threatening conditions will continue to be seen at our emergency departments.

However, please keep 999 and A&E clear for genuine life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 online or by phone for other urgent care needs. If you are contacting 111, please give as much information as you can, as that will help you get the right support and advice.

On days when there is strike action, people should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency. Ambulances will still respond in these situations but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life.

Less serious calls may not receive a response for the duration of the strike action. Please do not call back asking for an estimated time of arrival of an ambulance. This information cannot be provided and it blocks lines for other callers.

When to dial 999

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as:

• Cardiac arrest
• Loss of consciousness
• Fits that aren’t stopping
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulties
• Severe bleeding
• Severe allergic reactions
• Suspected stroke
• Serious head injuries.

More information about when to dial 999 is available on the NHS England website.

Please be aware that our hospitals, like the wider NHS and local health and care system, are really busy:

• If you have an urgent medical problem that isn’t an emergency and aren’t sure what to do, contact 111 first online or by phone – they will provide immediate medical advice and direct you to the best care for your needs.
• If you have a minor illness or minor injury, local Minor Injury Units, GP surgeries and pharmacies are open:
  • Minor injury units – attend your local minor injuries unit for urgent not life-threatening conditions and injuries such as sprains, fractures and burns. Find your nearest Minor Injury Unit here.
  • Local pharmacies can help with a range of minor illnesses and ailments. See our winter wellness page on how to treat common winter illnesses. Find your local pharmacy here.
  • GP services are operating as normal on days when there is strike action. Contact your GP if you have symptoms that will not go away.