Doctors' strike expected to cause little disruption (From Messenger Newspapers)

NHS Trafford issues advice for the day of action

11:26am Wednesday 20th June 2012 in News

THE first doctors’ strike in almost 40 years takes place tomorrow (June 21) - but health chiefs say there should be little impact on patient care.

All GP surgeries will be open as usual but some may be providing a reduced service by treating only urgent cases.

Patients who have an appointment scheduled, and have not been notified of any change, should attend.

Wythenshawe Hospital says it is expecting ‘little if any disruption’.

It has rescheduled 12 patient appointments - all non urgent - and expects only a handful of doctors to take action.

A spokesman for Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - which runs Trafford General - said: “We are working with our senior medical staff to minimise any disruption to patients.

“Some routine out-patient appointments have been cancelled and a number of planned operations have been rearranged for more urgent surgery to take place on the day.”

NHS Trafford says patients taken ill on day of action should: • Continue to contact their GP surgery for advice/treatment of ‘urgent’ conditions where advice/treatment cannot safely be delayed for 24 hours.

• Contact their local pharmacy for self care advice for ‘non urgent’ conditions where appropriate.

• Contact NHS Direct for health care advice for ‘non urgent’ conditions where appropriate. Call 0845 4647 or visit www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect.

• Consider attending their local NHS walk-in centre for new minor injuries and minor illnesses, which cannot be self-treated safely and appropriately.

• Attend A&E for emergency and life-threatening conditions only.

Steps patients should take on the day of action are: • For routine repeat prescription requests, do not contact your surgery. You should still contact the surgery for urgent or emergency issues in relation to prescriptions.

• Only contact your surgery for advice/treatment of urgent conditions needing treating that day. Don’t contact your GP surgery for non-urgent appointments or advice.

• Don’t attend A&E for any condition that is not an emergency or life-threatening.

Doctors are in dispute over changes to their pensions.