Resident doctor strike action from today 17 Dec to Monday 22 Dec
The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that resident doctors are taking strike action from today, which may cause some disruption to NHS services this week.
The strike action began at 7am today (Friday 14 November) and is scheduled to continue until 7am on Wednesday 19 November.
During this period, we are encouraging people in the Croydon community who need urgent medical care to continue to come forward, particularly in emergency and life-threatening situations. Senior doctors, nurses and support staff are working on the frontline to help keep patients safe and cared for, while respecting the rights of staff taking industrial action. We recognise that each strike period brings challenges, but plans are in place to prioritise patient safety.
Emergency care and acute services are being prioritised, and patients who need urgent treatment will be seen. However, we are asking people to consider using other NHS services for advice and treatment where appropriate during this period of industrial action. These include NHS 111, your GP, local pharmacies, and trusted online NHS resources.
Who does it affect?
We remain here to care for patients throughout the strike period, although there may be delays or disruption to some services.
Patients with scheduled hospital appointments during the strike period will be contacted directly if their appointment needs to be rescheduled. If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as normal.
Where cancellations do occur, we appreciate that notice may be short. This is because teams are continuing to review staffing and capacity daily to ensure the most urgent and critical care is prioritised.
For non-urgent medical concerns, please contact your GP or use NHS 111.
Helping those who need urgent treatment
Regardless of strike action, it is vital that anyone who needs urgent medical care continues to come forward, especially in emergency or life-threatening situations, such as when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
For medical help and advice
For medical help and advice, please use NHS 111 online where trained advisers can help direct you to the right service and, where appropriate, book an appointment.
Patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency and someone’s life is at risk. For 24/7 access to a range of NHS services in one place, you can also download the NHS App.
Help us care for you
If you feel unwell, it’s important that you continue to come forward for NHS care. There are many local services available to help with non-emergency health concerns.
Pharmacy
Your local pharmacy is often the first place to go for minor health concerns. Pharmacists can help with a wide range of conditions, from skin rashes and earaches to coughs and flu. Many pharmacies are open late and offer private consultations without an appointment.
Your GP
GP practices will continue to be open during the resident doctors’ strike. Please continue to attend your GP and dental appointments unless you are contacted and told otherwise. More information about when to use A&E and when to seek alternative care is available on the NHS website.
GP hubs in Croydon
Croydon GP hubs provide same-day care for minor injuries and illnesses for both adults and children. They are located in Purley and Parkway (New Addington).
To book an appointment, people should call NHS 111 first to discuss their symptoms. You may be offered a telephone consultation with a GP or practice nurse, who can arrange a face-to-face appointment if needed.
Mental health support (24/7)
If you live in Croydon and need urgent mental health support, you can call the 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 731 2864 (option 1).
The service provides emotional support and advice for children and adults of all ages, including those who have not previously accessed mental health services.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can also search for support from Mind, Samaritans, or Good Thinking.
Additional support
If you are already receiving care from a specific healthcare team, please contact them directly in the first instance.
Parents and carers can also access trusted advice on common childhood illnesses via the Healthier Together website.
To help us care for patients who need urgent and emergency treatment, we are urging Croydon residents to use A&E only in serious emergencies.
To avoid long waits, please use NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) unless it is a life-threatening emergency, in which case you should still call 999.