NHS Greater Manchester is sharing advice to help people access care during the next period of industrial action by resident (junior) doctors, taking place from 7am on Friday 14 November to 7am on Wednesday 19 November.
Health and care teams across Greater Manchester are working together to ensure as many services as possible continue safely during this time. Consultants, specialist doctors, nurses and other NHS staff will still be providing care, but some services may face extra pressure because resident doctors play a key role in both hospitals and GP practices.
Hospitals and GP practices will contact patients directly if appointments need to be rearranged. If you haven’t been contacted, please attend as planned. Some planned or elective procedures may be rescheduled so that care can be prioritised for those with urgent or time-sensitive needs.
How to get the right care during industrial action
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Call 999 or go to A&E for life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, severe bleeding, breathing difficulties, or stroke symptoms.
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Use NHS 111 online or by phone for urgent but non-emergency advice. Call 111 for FREE, search ‘NHS 111’, or use the NHS App — available 24/7. SignVideo and Text Relay (18001 111) are available for accessibility.
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Visit your GP practice or local pharmacy for common conditions, ongoing care, and prescriptions.
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Attend any booked appointments unless you’ve been informed otherwise.
You can also help your local NHS by planning ahead for medicines, collecting prescriptions in good time, and checking in on family, friends, or neighbours who may need support. If a loved one is ready to leave hospital, collecting them as soon as possible helps free up beds and ensures care is available for those who need it most.
With flu circulating this winter, people eligible for the flu vaccine are encouraged to book their jab and remind others to do the same.
Dr Francis Andrews, consultant in emergency medicine and medical director at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, speaking on behalf of all acute medical directors for NHS Greater Manchester, said:
“We understand that industrial action can cause concern for patients and families. Teams across hospitals, GP practices and community services are working closely to ensure as many services as possible continue to operate safely.
Resident doctors are an important part of the NHS workforce, and their planned absence will mean services are likely to be busier than usual. We’re asking everyone to plan ahead, use the right service for their needs, and support loved ones who are ready to return home from hospital.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and kindness towards NHS staff during this period.”
