National 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 ambulance services’ next planned industrial action is on Monday 6 February and Monday 20 February, while nurses’ strikes are planned for Monday 6 February and Tuesday 7 February. In Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, only Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital is affected by the nurses’ strike.

The industrial action is a national dispute between the Government and Trades Unions about terms and conditions. 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.

During strike days, it is likely 999 call handlers will be very busy. NHS 111 call centres will have fewer staff, with longer call response times expected across the system. As a result, we are urging anyone with non-urgent care need to first seek help from NHS 111 online.

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.