Hospital leaders in south east London have issued an urgent appeal for the public to use A&E services for real emergencies only, ahead of the latest junior doctor strikes
The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced industrial action by junior doctors for 3 days from 7am on Wednesday 20 December until 7am on Saturday 23 December.
This will be followed by a 6-day strike from 7am on Wednesday 3 January until 7am on Tuesday 9 January.
Staff at Bromley Healthcare are not taking part in upcoming planned industrial action. If you have a scheduled appointment with Bromley Healthcare, please attend this as planned unless informed otherwise.
The strikes will impact hospital services in South East London, including services at King’s College Hospital, Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington Hospital, plus some services at Beckenham Beacon and Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup.
It is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
If you need medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital, go to NHS 111 online unless it is a life-threatening emergency, when you should still call 999.
If you need medical advice but it’s not an emergency, please consider using a different service to get the care you need. You could:
• call NHS 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk
• make an appointment with your GP
• go to a local pharmacist
For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website (external link).
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can find out how to get help here.