Industrial action by resident doctors is planned to begin at 7am tomorrow (Friday, 25 July) and last until 7am on Wednesday, 30 July. This is expected to affect some services and appointments at NHS hospitals across the country.
Please note that all Royal Primary Care surgeries will remain open as usual during this time. If you have a hospital or GP appointment, unless you have been contacted by the NHS, please attend your appointment as planned. We will contact patients directly if their appointment needs to be cancelled or rearranged.
In light of the upcoming industrial action, we are issuing the following advice, in line with guidance from the NHS and Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust:
- Please use health services wisely. Use NHS 111 online or via phone as the first port of call for health needs and only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
- Take simple steps to look after yourselves, loved ones and check in on vulnerable family members and neighbours. Using 111 or your local pharmacy can help to treat a range of minor illnesses.
- It is 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. A&E, ambulance and 999 services in Derby and Derbyshire will remain available during the industrial action.
- People in mental health distress should continue to seek support as normal. Mental health crisis services will be running during the industrial action, as will the Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service (0800 028 0077). Details of other sources support can be found on the NHS mental health website and the Hub of Hope website.
When using GP services, please remember to treat our colleagues with kindness and respect as they do their best to help you access the care you need. Demand for appointments is high, and we appreciate the patience shown by the vast majority of people who contact us.
