Junior doctors are qualified doctors in clinical training in either a hospital or general practice. They make up around half of all doctors in the NHS.
They are planning to strike from 7am on Friday 11 August until 7am on Tuesday 15 August.
Consultants are senior doctors who see patients and are responsible for supervising junior doctors and other staff. They are taking action from 7am on Thursday 24 August until 7am on Saturday 26 August.
As with previous periods of strike action, NHS Greater Manchester has robust plans in place to prioritise resources to:
- protect emergency treatment and critical care
- minimise the impact on patients
- maintain patient safety
However, disruption to services will be unavoidable across both periods of industrial action
NHS Greater Manchester is asking for the public’s support in making sure it can treat those who need urgent care. People are encouraged to only call 999 or attend A&E if someone is seriously ill or injured or if their life is at risk.
Help for people to Get to Know Where to Go
The industrial action coincides with NHS Greater Manchester’s campaign: Get To Know Where To Go (GTKWTG).
During the strike, the NHS will still be there for those who need it. People should continue accessing services when they need medical care.
However, GTKWTG is helping people to know which service is best for their needs. It is also equipping them with the knowledge to take steps to look after their own health – helping to ease the pressure on emergency services.
The GTKWTG webpage helps people understand which service is right for them based on their symptoms.
Staff are working hard to continue to deliver safe care
Dr Manisha Kumar, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, said: “Our staff are working hard to ensure that we can continue to deliver safe care during the industrial action. However, services are likely to feel different for patients.
“We could see longer waits when emergency departments are busy, non-urgent outpatient appointments rescheduled and treatment being postponed. But, people should still attend their appointments unless they have been contacted and told not to.
“Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases.
“To help us treat patients who need urgent care, we are asking members of the public to support us by using the most appropriate service for their needs. NHS 111 should be your first port-of-call (unless your call relates to a child under 5), as they can give you advice on services and care.
“You can also help by checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours. If possible, if a relative or friend is due to be discharged from hospital and they need to be collected, please do whatever you can to help bring them home as early as possible. This will help our teams to free-up a hospital bed for someone who is waiting to be admitted.”
Advice ahead of the industrial action
- Have a well-stocked first aid drawer
- Use your local pharmacy
- Take a note of urgent helplines
- Make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions
More information about industrial action
