Industrial action is taking place that will involve some colleagues at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Trust is urging patients and their families across East Lancashire to be aware of the expected impact and the range of ways to access appropriate and timely care.
The British Medical Association has announced industrial action involving resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) from 7am on Friday, 14 November until 7am on Wednesday, 19 November.
Please be assured that we are working hard to minimise disruption. However, the action will impact services run by the Trust.
If you have an appointment at any of our hospitals, please assume this is going ahead unless you have been told otherwise by us.
If we need to rearrange any appointments or procedures, we will contact you directly to let you know - however this may be at late notice as every possible avenue is explored for activity to go ahead.
If you’re concerned and feel you need to speak to someone, please contact your clinical team using the contact information on your appointment letter.
If you need emergency care
It is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
Resources will be prioritised to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care and trauma, as well as patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery.
Urgent and emergency care services will be open during the industrial action period for life or limb threatening emergencies.
For all other health needs, please contact NHS 111 online or call 111 if you don't have internet access. There are many other places that can offer support, including GP surgeries and pharmacies and NHS111 will be able to guide you to the right place.
Information about all of our urgent and emergency care services can be found here or at the top of this page.
Visiting times
Visiting times at all the Trust’s hospitals are not affected and relatives and carers are welcome to attend as normal.
If you want to know more about industrial action, please click here to visit NHS England’s website.
GP practices will continue to be open during the resident doctors strikes. Resident doctors who train in GP practices, known as GP registrars, may take strike action.
While they are an important part of the practice team, the effective running of the practice is not dependent on them as they are considered ‘supernumerary’ to the workforce of the practice, meaning they are an additional member of staff.
Please continue to attend your GP and dental appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
The NHS is also asking the public to play their part during industrial action by looking after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbour
Ahead of industrial action, please read the following advice if you are travelling to other parts of the country:
- If you’re staying in England and are away from home and need a GP appointment for routine treatment, please call your own surgery. And if you need a prescription, they can send it to any pharmacy you choose.
- Make sure you have enough of your prescribed medications. You can easily order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, though your GP practice website or, if you do not have access to GP online services, by calling your GP practice.
- Ensure you have a fully stocked first aid kit at home or with you. Find out what you need here https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/what-should-i-keep-in-my-first-aid-kit/