Guidance during upcoming strike action
With upcoming strike action by junior doctors from 7am this Thursday 13 July until 7am on Tuesday 18 July, followed by a 48 hour strike by consultants from Thursday 20 July, people are being advised to follow guidance due to the impact on services.
Due to the pressure on local emergency and urgent care services in Hertfordshire, West Essex, East of England and Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, people are being advised to only come to hospital emergency departments if they have a serious injury or life-threatening emergency – for example heavy bleeding, severe chest pain or stroke-like symptoms.
NHS 111 online
Please go to 111 online (111.nhs.uk) for help and advice, but call 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency. If you have an appointment booked on strike days, unless you are contacted by the NHS to reschedule your appointment, you should still attend as planned.
Appointments and services provided by HCT and other health services
Please keep an eye on our social media channels and review the guidance on this page regularly for up to date information on any late changes to scheduled appointments you may have with HCT.
If you have not received a message from us, please continue to attend your appointment and access our services as scheduled.
Not all services will be directly impacted by the strike action for example services that HCT provides and GP services, but they may be busier than usual. Health services will do their best to provide care under the circumstances.
Further advice and information
For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, visit the NHS UK website - (nhs.uk)
