CHESHIRE and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has issued advice to patients as junior doctors take part in a three-day strike.

Junior doctors across Wirral are taking part in a three-day strike between 7am today (March 13) and 7am on Thursday (March 16). 

Thi strike will see members of the British Medical Association take part in the longest-ever period of strikes by junior doctors.

The BMA has launched an advertising campaign which says junior doctors could earn more money “serving coffee than saving patients”.

Health service will see 'extensive disuruption'

Professor Stephen Powis, medical director of NHS England, told Times Radio the health service will see “extensive disruption” over the next three days.

He said: “This is likely to be the most disruptive set of industrial action days that we’ve seen all winter. Why is that?

“Well, it’s three days rather than just one day, it involves junior doctors that are a large part of the medical workforce, and of course work in many healthcare settings, not just hospitals – general practice, mental health trusts, and of course community settings too – and so it’s likely that we will see that extensive disruption.

How will Wirral be affected?

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have said how services will be affected by the industrial action this week.

They said: "Significant service disruption is anticipated with all NHS Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside set to be affected.

"The NHS will do everything it can to go ahead with planned appointments - especially for patients in greatest clinical need - and will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled. If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned.

"The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage any disruption, including industrial action, but inevitably there will be some service disruption on strike days, with information about the impact of industrial action published nationally here.

"Emergency care and other critical services such as maternity departments will be open as usual and life-threatening calls responded to.

"Local services will also keep their websites and social media accounts up-to-date with information about service disruption – so please check before you travel."

Mental health crisis support

If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse or deteriorates, this can be called a ‘mental health crisis’. In this situation, it is important to get help quickly. 

Please call 0800 145 6485 and dedicated local staff will support you to access the help you need. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages, including children and young people. 

NHS 111 Online

Irrespective of any industrial action, please do not hesitate to come forward to access care if you need it. Make NHS 111 Online your first port of call if you need urgent health advice on days of strike action.

NHS 111 Online can tell you:

  • Where to get help for your symptoms
  • How to find general health information and advice
  • Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
  • How to get a repeat prescription

For more information, visit https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/industrialaction.

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