The Trust is working closely with its senior medical workforce, including consultants and specialty doctors, to ensure safe staffing is maintained throughout the period of industrial action.
The focus remains on keeping patients and staff safe. Emergency and life-preserving services will continue as usual, and staff are doing everything they can to minimise the postponement of planned care.
We are asking the public to continue to support the NHS by using services wisely during this period.
How to use services wisely:
- Only use 999 or our Emergency Department for life-threatening conditions, such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, stroke symptoms, or severe bleeding
- Use NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) or call 111 for urgent medical concerns that are not emergencies – they can provide advice or direct you to the right care
- Continue to attend your medical appointment as planned unless you are contacted directly by the hospital to reschedule
- Cancel any NHS appointments you cannot attend by using the contact number provided in your appointment letter – this allows us to offer that slot to another patient
- Support others in looking after their mental health. For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option
- Visit your GP or speak to your local pharmacist for non-urgent health concerns
Dr Rebecca Martin, Medical Director at The QEH, said: “We thank our patients for their understanding as we work to deliver safe and effective care during this time.
“We also ask the public to continue showing kindness and respect to our staff, including those making rescheduling calls. These teams are working hard to rearrange appointments as quickly as possible and are doing everything they can to minimise disruption.”
Ends. Notes to editors; For media enquiries only, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216. For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.
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