Public reminded to access care as normal in final days of doctors’ strike
Members of the public have been urged to seek care as normal over the weekend as resident doctors in England continue their six-day strike.
Officials said workers across the NHS “have responded heroically” to the disruption, despite the challenge of finding cover for staff after the long Easter weekend.
Resident doctors started the six-day walkout at 7am on Tuesday and will return to work at 6.59am on April 13.
Patients should attend planned appointments over the weekend unless they are contacted to reschedule, NHS England said.
GP practices, pharmacies, NHS 111 and emergency care services will also continue to be available in the final days of industrial action.
Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, national clinical director for critical and perioperative care at NHS England, said: “Yet again staff across the NHS have responded heroically to keeping patients safe and ensuring that people can continue to get the care they need since the strikes began on Tuesday.
“It has been particularly challenging to fill rotas off the back of the Easter bank holiday weekend, and we are immensely grateful to the staff who have gone above and beyond to provide cover so that hospitals can weather the storm and limit disruption for patients.
“The NHS remains open for you over the weekend, and patients should continue to attend appointments unless they have been asked to reschedule.
“As ever, please call 999 or come to A&E in an emergency, and use 111 online first if you need urgent but not life-threatening help.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub