Choose healthcare services wisely ahead of strike action and the August bank holiday weekend

In anticipation of an upcoming consultants' strike, set to take place on Thursday 24 August and Friday 25 August, followed by the August bank holiday weekend, the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, is appealing to the local community to make informed decisions about their healthcare needs, ensuring timely and appropriate treatment for their medical conditions.

As the strike may lead to potential delays and reduced availability of consultant services, the Trust is urging patients to consider their options carefully. Patients are encouraged to choose the most suitable healthcare service based on the urgency and nature of their condition.

This proactive approach will help ensure that those who need medical care receive the necessary attention from the appropriate medical professionals, even in the face of potential staffing challenges.

Richard Robinson, Chief Medical Officer at the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust said:

As we head into a period of industrial strike action followed by the bank holiday weekend, our hospitals will extremely busy”.

During the time, our teams across the Trust and in our Emergency Department will be prioritising care for those who require urgent medical care with serious injury, illness, or whose lives are at risk.

We always advise where possible, that people call the NHS 111 service before coming to the Emergency Department. NHS 111 call handlers are trained to help you and make sure you get the right urgent treatment in the right place.

“Medical conditions that are not an emergency can be treated by other healthcare providers such as your GPs or local pharmacies. These services will be able to provide you with advice and treatment without you having to wait in the Emergency Department.

If you have an appointment or procedure due to take place at our Trust, please attend unless you hear directly from the Trust. All appointments will be rearranged directly with the patient and/or carer, if needed.

Alternative NHS services

NHS 111 Online

If you have an urgent medical problem that isn’t an emergency and aren’t sure what to do, contact NHS 111 first by phone or online – they will provide medical advice and direct you to the best care for you.

GP appointments in Wakefield

In addition to NHS 111, patients in Wakefield can get face-to-face GP appointments for urgent problems and book routine appointments in advance, for when their own GP practice is closed, through the GP Care Wakefield service.

The service is available between 5pm and 9.30pm on weekdays; and 9am and 1pm on Sundays and bank holidays. All you need to do is contact your own practice telephone number, at any time of day and you will get through to the right service.

GP appointments in Kirklees

GP surgeries in Kirklees offer appointments until 8pm on weekdays. Some appointments may be at a nearby surgery rather than your usual GP practice. You can book appointments, arrange medication, and access advice online, check your GP practice website for details.

King Street walk in centre in Wakefield

King Street Walk in Centre, Wakefield, is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, between 10am and 10pm.

Pharmacy

You can also call into your local pharmacy for expert advice on many common illnesses such as headaches, sore throats and aches and pains, and there is no need to book an appointment. Visit togetherwe-can.com for advice to help you choose the right service.

Mental health support

Mental health support will continue to be available throughout the strike action and bank holiday period. Visit https://togetherwe-can.com/mental-health for details of local services. For urgent help in a mental health crisis, call your local 24 hr helpline, for Wakefield and Kirklees this is: 0800 183 0558.

Regardless of any strike action taking place, if you are a patient who needs urgent care for emergency and life-threatening cases continue to come forward as normal. For more information on when to go to A&E, please visit the NHS UK website.