Patients may experience some disruption to the services provided by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals in April with planned industrial action and the effect of the Easter bank holidays.
The British Medical Association and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) have announced junior doctors will begin a strike starting at 6.59am on Tuesday, 11 April and ending on 6.59am on Saturday, 15 April.
Bank holidays are traditionally busy times for the NHS and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is doing everything it can to minimise disruption and ensure patients can continue to access essential services and appointments.
Janet Barnsley, Executive Director of Integrated Care at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, said: “I would remind everyone to continue to attend any planned appointments unless we contact you directly to update you.
“We know there will be some disruption to our services and appointments but people in greatest need will continue to have access to the care they require. Urgent and emergency care services will of course remain open during the bank holiday and industrial action period and people should call 999 or attend accident and emergency if it is life-threatening or an emergency.
“In other situations, use NHS 111 online and ahead of the bank holiday and industrial action, please make sure you plan ahead – for instance don’t leave it too late to order repeat prescriptions.
“In the run up to the bank holidays we will also be working hard to help people get home for Easter and encourage people to make sure they plan for their loved ones’ discharge from hospital wherever they can, for instance ensuring they can be collected on time from hospital and that they have the medication they need when they get home.
“We’re very grateful for everyone’s support and understanding during this busy time and ask that people continue to use NHS services appropriately.”
Further information can be found on the Trust’s website www.bfwh.nhs.uk or through social media profiles on Facebook and Twitter.