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Regardless of any industrial action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

If you have an appointment or procedure booked

We are doing everything we can to go ahead with planned procedures and appointments. Patient safety is our top priority.

If we have not already contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled, due to industrial action, and will look to reschedule it as soon as possible. We understand that this is a worrying time for you and are very sorry for any additional worry, or distress, this may cause.

If you need emergency care

Our emergency departments (A&Es) are open, but waiting times may be longer than normal. Please do attend your nearest emergency department, if you need emergency care.

We will be seeing patients in order of clinical priority – those with emergency and very urgent conditions will be seen first.

However, if appropriate, please consider using other non-hospital services including pharmacies, urgent treatment centres and your GP. Please be aware that all NHS services may be impacted by the industrial action. For more information about local services that are available, visit the NHS website.

• NHS: find services near you

If you come to an emergency department, and the clinical team thinks this is not the best service for you, you may be redirected to another service.

For more information, please visit the NHS England website.

• NHS England: information for the public on industrial action