PEOPLE are being reminded to be aware and prepared for disruption to NHS services ahead of the Bank Holiday and proposed junior doctors strike.

NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust are asking residents to be prepared and ahead of the Bank Holidays on Friday (April 6) and Monday (April 9) as well into the following week when the junior doctors strike will commence.

The British Medical Association (BMA) and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) have announced a junior doctors strike running from 06:59am on Tuesday, April 11 until 06:59am on Saturday, April 15.

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Dr John Seymour, Deputy Medical Director, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The days leading into and immediately after bank holiday weekends are already challenging for the NHS, and this four-day strike is taking place straight after the Easter weekend.

“Hospital services will be particularly affected and during the strike period we will redirect resources to protect emergency treatment, intensive care, new-born care, maternity, and trauma.

“We will continue to prioritise cancer treatments, and those patients who have waited the longest for elective procedures.

“We are working incredibly hard to mitigate the impact of the industrial action on our services, however, due to the unprecedented scale and timing of the strikes, we will unfortunately have to reschedule some routine appointments.

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“If you have not been contacted by the Trust, we would advise that you attend your appointment as planned, but please continue to check for updates.”

Previous industrial action by junior doctors over three days saw 175,000 hospital appointments disrupted. As these strikes are over a longer period, it is expected a greater number of appointments will be impacted.

General practice, community pharmacies, and dentistry are not impacted by strike action and the public should continue to access these services as needed on strike days.

Residents are reminded that using 111 will help the NHS treat patients in the right setting over the Bank Holiday and the week of the industrial action.

Residents are also reminded to ensure medication and repeat prescriptions are ordered and collected early as GP surgeries and most pharmacies will be closed throughout the Bank holiday weekend and services are likely to be busy in the following week.

People can order prescriptions in their usual way and the NHS App also enables patients to request repeat prescriptions too.

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Dr Lalitha Iyer, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Frimley ICB, said: “There are steps we can all take to make sure we use the most appropriate service for our needs and ensure that help can be prioritised to those who need it most.

“If you are unwell or injured, it’s important to choose the right service to make sure you get the best treatment as quickly as possible.”