Advice for upcoming doctors’ strike - August 2023
NHS industrial action in Greater Manchester
Consultant doctors will be taking strike action from 7am on Thursday 24 August until 7am on Saturday 26 August and will have a significant impact on services in Greater Manchester.
There is likely to be significant impact upon local services. This will mean services will feel different for patients - this could include longer waits, deferred treatment, and in a small number of cases the consolidation of services (so where there are two services in an area, only one may be open).
As with previous periods of strike action, we have tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage any disruption, including industrial action.
We will continue to do everything we can to go ahead with planned procedures – especially for patients in greatest clinical need – and will contact patients if an appointment needs to be rescheduled. Patients should attend their appointment as planned if they have not been contacted.
The NHS is asking patients to choose services appropriately during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs, and only using 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
Appointments
We will only reschedule appointments and procedures where necessary and will rebook immediately, where possible. Unfortunately, these strikes will have a significant impact upon planned and routine care.
If you have an appointment with us, please attend unless you hear from us. There is no need to check – we will be in touch with your directly if we need to rearrange your appointment.
Visiting patients
We continue to welcome family members and loved ones to visit patients at our hospitals, please see our visiting information.
Need urgent mental health crisis support?
We are still here to support you throughout this time. If you are known to our community mental health team, you can contact them as usual. There is also our 24/7 mental health crisis helpline which you can call free, any time, day or night if you need urgent help. The number is: 0800 953 0285.
We also have a number of self-help resources on our website which you may also find useful.
GP practices will continue to be open during the junior doctors and consultants strikes. Please continue to attend your GP and dental appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.
We appreciate the public’s understanding and co-operation during this challenging period.
