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NHS services within the Wigan Borough are preparing for further industrial action this week, with Junior Doctors who are members of the British Medical Association set to strike against the Government from 7:00am on Wednesday 14th June to 7:00am on Saturday 17th June 2023.
Professor Sanjay Arya, Medical Director at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Dr Tim Dalton, Co-Chair Healthier Wigan System Board, have come forward to thank the people of the Borough for their support during previous rounds of industrial action, but are urging people that this must continue in order to maintain urgent and emergency care services for those who need it most.
Prof. Arya said: “We are so grateful to the public of the Wigan Borough for all of their support during some very challenging times. On the whole, people are accessing our services appropriately and we really need this to continue, not just during this latest period of industrial action, but as we move forward, so that we can carry on caring for everyone in the way they need us to.
“I must stress that our teams are here to provide care to anyone who needs it, and if you have a life, limb or sight-threatening condition then of course, you should access our Emergency Department, but if it is not one of these conditions, there are many more ways you can access help and support, such as NHS 111 online or alternative services such as your GP, pharmacy or local urgent treatment centre like the one we have at Leigh Infirmary.
“You can also help us to help your loved ones by being available to support them when they are ready to be discharged from our hospitals. This is really important for the care and comfort of your loved ones and friends, and also helps our teams to free up hospital beds for patients waiting to be admitted.”
Speaking about the recent pressure NHS services have faced across the Wigan Borough, Dr Dalton added:
“As we have seen during the winter months and throughout the industrial action we have witnessed since the start of the year, our NHS services in the Wigan Borough and across the region have been extremely busy, and we expect that to continue during the British Medical Association strikes this week.
“That is why it is so important that we all access the right healthcare options for our needs, at the right time and in the right place. By doing so, not only will this help people to get the care they need more quickly, but it will also ensure we are helping each other, by freeing up urgent and emergency care services for those who truly need it.
“We are extremely grateful that the vast majority of the public do use our services in the way they are intended, and we would very much appreciate your continued support.”
If you need medical help or advice, NHS 111 Online can tell you where to get help for your symptoms and how to find general health information and advice. More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website.
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.
- You require health information or reassurance about what to do next.
GP services are also available on evenings and weekends by calling 01942 482848 to book an appointment at a local GP hub.