BMA doctors’ industrial action: Advice for patients attending hospital

Patients attending hospitals run by The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust are being advised to attend for their surgery or their appointment as normal unless they have been contacted and advised of alternative arrangements on Thursday 21 June.

The Trust, which runs North Manchester General Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, The Royal Oldham Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary, is working closely with its doctors to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

If any appointments or routine outpatient clinics have to be postponed or changed, patients will be informed.

Accident & Emergency Departments will run as normal but may be busier than usual. Patients should try to avoid going to A&E unless it is absolutely necessary and they are seriously unwell.

A&E and 999 services are for people with a life threatening or serious condition that needs immediate attention, such as a heart attack, a stroke, breathing problems, or a serious accident.

The public can get free advice from NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, by visiting the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk , or by accessing one of the range of local health services available in their area, including local pharmacies and chemists.