Your care during the doctors’ strikes in July

A number of consultants (sometimes known as specialist doctors) will be on strike from 7am on 20 July until 7am on 22 July.

West Middlesex University Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital will be very busy on these days, as fewer medical staff will be working. Our community-based sexual health clinics are also affected—details of changes to services.

We have plans to help provide safe urgent and emergency care for patients who need it.

Urgent or emergency healthcare during the strikes

It is important that people continue to seek help from the NHS when they need it, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases.

Our A&E departments will be very busy during the strikes so if you need medical care, but it’s not an emergency, please contact 111, a GP or your local pharmacy. This will help us to prioritise patients with the most urgent health needs and help you get the right care in a timely way.

• Pharmacy: Your local pharmacist is an expert in medicines and can help you with minor health concerns—find a pharmacy near you
• GP: GP surgeries are usually the first contact if you have a health problem, but please be aware that they may be busier during the strikes
• NHS 111: If you need urgent care but it isn't life threatening, visit NHS 111 or call 111 and speak to a trained advisor
• 999 and A&E: If it’s a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or visit your nearest A&E

Will my planned appointment or treatment be rescheduled due to the strikes?

To help us to provide safe urgent and emergency care on the strike days, we will need to reschedule some non-urgent appointments, clinics and procedures. Appointments with consultants may also be affected from 20 - 22 July. If we do not contact you, please attend your appointment as planned. Please be aware that there might be delays on the day.

Thank you for your continued support and patience.