Industrial Action

Dorset NHS working together to keep people safe during planned industrial action

NHS Dorset are asking the public to think carefully about the services they use as the local health and care system faces significant pressures due to increased demand as well as planned strike activity this week.

Dorset is one of a number of areas affected by industrial action and NHS services are working hard to keep people safe during the planned strikes on 18 and 19 January, while delivering the best care possible.

NHS Dorset’s Chief Operating Officer, Dean Spencer said:

“As a system we have been working together to minimise disruption, but it is inevitable there will be an impact on services.

“Regardless of strike action, no-one should put off seeking urgent or emergency care and people with serious, life-threatening conditions will continue to be seen at our Emergency Departments.

“Our health and care services remain under significant pressure so I would urge people to help us by using the right service.”

Hospital and community NHS services will be making sure they have adequate staffing levels to keep patients safe.

Here is some key information about our services and how you can help us continue to provide care for those who need us most.

NHS services are working hard to keep people safe during the planned strikes, while delivering the best care possible. The nurses’ strikes are planned for 18 and 19 January, while ambulance services’ next planned industrial action is on Monday 23 January. No-one should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes and people with serious, life-threatening conditions will continue to be seen at our Emergency Departments.

However, please keep 999 and A&E clear for genuine life-threatening emergencies, and use NHS 111 online or by phone for other urgent care needs. If you are contacting 111, please give as much information as you can, as that will help you get the right support and advice.

For non-urgent care services please use your GP practice or contact your local pharmacy. Pharmacies can help with allergies, constipation, headaches, earaches and many other ailments. Find a pharmacy near you.

On days when there is strike action, people should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency. Ambulances will still respond in these situations but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life.

Less serious calls may not receive a response for the duration of the strike action. Please do not call back asking for an estimated time of arrival of an ambulance. This information cannot be provided and it blocks lines for other callers.

We will be continuing to run as many of our services as possible during the industrial action on Wednesday 18 January and Thursday 19 January.

Please attend your hospital appointment as planned unless you hear from us directly.

Any patients affected will be contacted by us. Please do check your voicemail before attending your appointment as we may leave a message if we are unable to reach you.

Minor injuries care will be available from three sites in Dorset during this week’s industrial action by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

To ensure people can access face-to-face treatment if they need it on Wednesday and Thursday (18 and 19 January), Dorset HealthCare will maintain normal services at Bridport and Wimborne Minor Injuries Units (MIUs), as well as the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at Weymouth Hospital.

This has been arranged in agreement with RCN representatives, in order to ensure patient safety and also safe staffing levels.

However, the MIUs at Blandford, Shaftesbury, Sherborne and Swanage hospitals will be closed on both days.

As usual, anyone requiring urgent care for injury or illness should call NHS 111 or go online (https://111.nhs.uk/) for an assessment in the first instance. If appropriate, an appointment will be arranged at an MIU or the UTC.

Jane Elson, Service Director for Integrated Community Services, said:

“While we will be unable to offer a full service over the strike days, consolidating our staff at three locations will allow us to provide a consistent, reliable offer to anyone who needs urgent treatment.”

For details of MIU/UTC opening times and locations, visit: www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/miu

If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 999. Emergency care will continue to be available during the industrial action, so please do not hesitate to seek help if you need it.

While all our wards will be safely staffed during the industrial action, additional support from families and friends would be welcomed during this time so that our nursing staff can focus on clinical care – for example, to assist with mealtimes.

For all other visiting guidance please visit Dorset County Hospital website: https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/visiting-guidance/

Help us get patients who are ready for discharge home so our hospital beds are available for people who need them most urgently.

Most patients will continue to recover at home once they leave hospital. In fact, many patients need to leave hospital to be able to complete their recovery fully.

Staying in hospital for longer than necessary has a negative impact on how well patients recover.

Please speak to the ward team if you need more information and respond quickly to any calls from us about your relative leaving hospital.

You can find more information on Dorset County Hospital website.