Industrial action against the Government by Junior Doctors who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) is set to take place at all NHS organisations, including Stockport NHS Foundation Trust (SFT), from 7am on Wednesday 20^th December until 7am on Saturday 23^rd December, and again on Wednesday 3^rd January until 7am on Tuesday 9^th January 2024.

With this in mind, SFT is calling on the public’s continued support by asking people to continue to access healthcare in the most appropriate way. If a condition is not life, limb or sight-threatening, please use NHS 111 online in the first instance or alternative services such as your GP, pharmacy or local urgent treatment centre.

As with previous periods of industrial action, we are offering reassurance to the public that robust plans are in place to protect our emergency services and to safely care for patients who are in urgent need.

We will maintain a focus on protecting essential life, limb and sight-saving services such as Accident and Emergency (A&E) (including Paediatric A&E), Maternity, Emergency Theatres, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (including Neonatal Intensive Care and Paediatric Intensive Care), Chemotherapy and Dialysis. However, a number of services will be impacted, including the need to reschedule outpatient and surgical appointments.

If you have an appointment planned with any of our services during the period of industrial action, unless otherwise advised, all patients are asked to attend as normal. You do not need to contact SFT or your GP, as anyone whose appointments or care may be impacted will be contacted directly by us to reschedule a new date as soon as possible.

NHS 111

If you need medical help or advice, NHS 111 Online can tell you where to get help for your symptoms and how to find general health information and advice. More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website.

Please contact NHS 111 if:

• You need medical help fast, but it`s not a 999 emergency.
• You don`t know who to call for medical help or you don`t have a GP to call.
• You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service.
• You require health information or reassurance about what to do next.

Our emergency services remain open for those who need urgent care during this period.

In a mental health crisis, call the mental health crisis line in your area (Greater Manchester: Bury, Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport and Tameside & Glossop – 0800 014 9995).

Read the Get To Know Where To Go leaflet which outlines all of the full range of health services available.