Two groups of colleagues have proposed industrial action in the coming days, involving both our critical care colleagues and resident doctors and we fully respect our colleagues’ right to take lawful industrial action.
Proposed strike action
- Critical care colleagues are proposing a 24-hour strike from 7am on Tuesday 7 April.
- The British Medical Association (BMA) has proposed a further period of industrial action by resident doctor colleagues from 7am on Tuesday 7 April to 7am on Sunday 13 April.
We recognise that industrial action can have a significant impact on patients and the wider workforce, particularly as the NHS continues to recover from winter pressures and the busy Easter period.
Our priority: Patient safety
Patient safety and high quality care remain our absolute priority. We are working hard to minimise disruption for our patients and people who use our services, and we have robust plans in place to ensure essential services continue to operate safely.
If you have an appointment, please attend as planned unless you are contacted directly and advised otherwise. If your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to industrial action, the NHS will contact you.
What this means for you
- Urgent and emergency care will continue as normal.
- Some planned appointments and treatments may be delayed or rescheduled. If this affects you, you will be contacted directly but if you are not contacted, we look forward to welcoming you for your appointment as planned.
- GP and dental practices will stay open, but some may be affected if they host resident doctors.
- Mental health services remain open and available – help is still here for you.
- For urgent health advice, please use NHS 111 online (for people five and over). Call 999 only in a life-threatening emergency.
- For help finding the right NHS service, visit NHS Greater Manchester’s ‘Get to Know Where to Go’ information at gmintegratedcare.org.uk/gtkwtg.
- You can help by checking on vulnerable friends and family, making sure you have necessary medicines, and helping loved ones leave hospital quickly once they have been told they are ready to go home.
Medical help and advice
If you need medical help or advice, NHS 111 Online can tell you where to get help for your symptoms and how to find general health information and advice. More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website.
Please contact NHS 111 if:
- You need medical help fast, but it's not a 999 emergency.
- You don't know who to call for medical help or you don't have a GP to call.
- You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service.
- You require health information or reassurance about what to do next.
When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999 or attending A&E.
- Use Get to know where to go for further information on finding the right NHS service.
Treating colleagues with respect
We understand this is a worrying and frustrating time for many patients and families. However, we ask everyone visiting our hospitals and community services to treat all colleagues with respect.
We operate a zero tolerance approach to abuse, aggression or any unwanted behaviour towards colleagues, patients or people who use our services. Our teams are working extremely hard during this challenging period, and kindness and patience make a real difference.
Staying updated
We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for your understanding and support during this period of proposed industrial action.