NHS advises the public ahead of resident doctor industrial action next week

NHS Greater Manchester has given advice on how to get care while resident (formerly junior) doctors take planned strike action from 7am next Wednesday (December 17) to 7am on Monday, December 22.

Health and care teams are, as usual, working to keep as many services running as possible.

Consultants, specialist doctors, nurses, and other NHS staff will continue providing care, but with resident doctors taking strike action, some staff affected by the usual winter illnesses, and others on planned annual leave, services will be busier than usual.

Where to go for help:

Appointments: hospitals and GP practices will contact patients if appointments need to be rescheduled.

If you haven’t been contacted, please attend as planned.

Some planned procedures may be postponed to prioritise urgent care.

Dental care: for pain in your mouth, teeth, or gums, call the Greater Manchester Dental Helpline for free on 0333 332 3800.

The service is available 8am - 10pm daily, including weekends and bank holidays, for urgent help when your dental practice is closed or if you do not have a regular dentist.

Charges may apply.

Emergency care: call 999 or attend A&E for life-threatening conditions such as chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, or symptoms of a stroke.

NHS 111: for urgent but non-emergency health needs, you can contact NHS 111 online, by phone, or through the NHS App.

The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Accessibility options include SignVideo and Text Relay (18001 111) for people who need them.

NHS 111 can help you find the right care for your symptoms.

Pharmacies: a good first port of call for many health issues.

Under Pharmacy First, pharmacists can treat conditions such as earache (age 1 - 17), sore throats (age 5+), and urinary tract infections (age 16 - 64) without a GP appointment.

Urgent eye care: Greater Manchester’s Urgent Eye Care Service can help if you experience sudden changes in vision, red or painful eyes, or new flashes or floaters.

The service is available throughout the week, including evenings and weekends.

Call your local optician first, and if they do not provide the service, you can find one that does.

How the public can help:

Plan prescriptions early: make sure you have enough repeat medication to last through the festive period and any planned travel.

Order at least a week in advance, and earlier if it overlaps a bank holiday.

Use the right service: for minor health issues, start with pharmacies; for dental problems, contact your dentist or the Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Helpline; for eye concerns, get in touch with an optician or the Urgent Eye Care Service.

For other health advice or to be signposted to the right place, contact NHS 111.

Support family, friends and neighbours: check in on those who need extra support, especially those recently discharged from hospital, who may need help collecting prescriptions or food, accessing healthcare, or managing minor illnesses.

Protect your health: get your recommended winter vaccines, including flu and Covid boosters if eligible, to reduce your risk of illness and protect those around you,

Dr Francis Andrews, consultant in emergency medicine and speaking on behalf of all acute medical directors for NHS Greater Manchester, said: "We know industrial action can be worrying, particularly with Christmas approaching. NHS teams are working hard to maintain as many services as possible, but hospitals and GP practices will be busier than usual.

"Please plan ahead for prescriptions, use pharmacies, dental and urgent eye services where possible, and support loved ones who are ready to leave hospital so care can be provided safely to those who need it most.

"Booking your flu vaccination is another way to protect yourself and others during winter.

"We thank everyone for their patience, understanding, and kindness towards NHS staff during this period."

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