THE NHS is asking Berkshire residents to be prepared for disruption to services during the 72-hour junior doctors’ strike.

Various healthcare associations have announced 72 hours of continuous junior doctors’ strike action from 7am today (Wednesday, June 14) to 7am on Saturday, June 17.

Members of the British Medical Association (BMA), British Dental Association (BDA) and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) will be striking. 

NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, operators of Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, are asking residents to be prepared and “play their part” during the strike.

The strike will “create significant challenges for the NHS, which has already seen a busy weekend with an increase in attendances at Emergency Departments, particularly with the hot weather”.

Residents are being encouraged to visit GPs, pharmacists or Minor Injuries Units, to free up queues in A&E, unless “you have severe difficulty breathing or shortness of breath accompanied by chest tightness, pains spreading to the arms, back, neck and jaw, feeling sick, coughing up blood or swelling in the leg”.

Respiratory consultant Dr Gareth Roberts, chief of service for medicine at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “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 we will unfortunately have to reschedule some routine appointments. 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 saw 196,000 hospital appointments disrupted.

General practice, community pharmacies, and dentistry are open, and the public should continue to access these services as needed on strike days.

Using 111 will help the NHS treat patients in the right setting during the week of the industrial action.

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.

“It’s very important that people who need medical care come forward, especially when someone has a life-threatening illness or injury. A range of services are available to ensure Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E) are freed up to treat those with life-threatening and critical illnesses or injuries. Care for life-threatening or serious illness/injury will be prioritised.

“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.

“If your child is unwell, and you’re not sure where the best place to go for advice is, visit the NHS Frimley Healthier Together website or download the app. Designed by local experts, it provides support to parents and carers to help them manage a range of common childhood illnesses."

Residents are being reminded to take care in the hot weather, by applying sunscreen, keeping hydrated and walking in the shade. This can help you avoid becoming ill in the sun.