*Updated on Thursday 27th April 2023.
The Royal College of Nursing has confirmed that its members will take part in industrial action, at NHS organisations, including WWL, on from 8.00pm on Sunday 30th April 2023, until midnight on Monday 1st May 2023.
This latest period of industrial action will take place at three separate Trusts in Greater Manchester - WWL, Tameside and The Christie and is a full withdrawal of labour strike, meaning the pressure on NHS services will be increased further. North West Ambulance Service colleagues and RCN members at other neighbouring Trusts in the North West will also take part in this industrial action, meaning we will see increased pressure on our healthcare services during this period.
Please be assured that robust plans are in place to continue to maintain a focus on protecting essential life and limb services such as Accident and Emergency (A&E), Maternity, Emergency Theatres, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). These tried and tested plans are in place to manage any disruption, and patient safety, as always, will continue to remain our top priority.
How can you help?
WWL, and other Trusts impacted, will need your continued support in the build-up to this period of industrial action, throughout the duration of the 48 hours and in the days and weeks following, to ensure that essential care can be given to those who need it most.
WWL is encouraging family and friends of patients who are due to be discharged from hospital to continue to do everything they can to support your loved ones. This will help our teams to free-up hospital beds for those who are waiting to be admitted.
If you need urgent medical help for life, limb or sight-threatening conditions, you should continue to come forward and seek the care you need through the Emergency Department at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary or by calling 999.
For medical help and advice for non-life, limb or sight-threatening conditions, please use NHS 111 online in the first instance, or seek an alternative to A&E, such as your local GP, local pharmacy, urgent dental care service or urgent eye care service. You can find out more information and get to know where to go for support at https://gmintegratedcare.org.uk/GTKWTG/
Please contact NHS 111 if:
- You need medical help fast, but it's not a 999 emergency.
- You don't know who to call for medical help or you don't have a GP to call.
- You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service; or.
- You require health information or reassurance about what to do next.
- Our emergency services remain open for those who need urgent care during this period.
How can you prepare?
This latest period of industrial action includes a Bank Holiday on Monday 1st May 2023, a time which already provides challenges for NHS organisations across the country, so please be as prepared as possible heading into the weekend.
Self-care at home is extremely important and we would always advise being well-stocked on over-the-counter medications, as well as making sure you have organised enough of any repeat prescriptions to last you through the Bank Holiday.
If you have an appointment planned for the dates that strike action is planned, unless otherwise advised directly by WWL, all patients are asked to attend their appointments as normal. You do not need to contact WWL, anyone whose appointments or care may be impacted will be contacted directly by our teams to reschedule a new date as soon as possible.