Important information on EMAS industrial action

With upcoming industrial action, NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board is reassuring patients what options are available to them, and the three simple actions they can take to support themselves and their local NHS during this time.

Toby Sanders, Chief Executive, NHS Northamptonshire ICB said: “As we move into a period of further industrial action, we understand local people may be concerned about how this will impact on them.

“Although impacted organisations within Integrated Care Northamptonshire have plans to deal with disruptions such as industrial action and urgent services are prioritised, we know there will be fewer call handlers and there will be fewer ambulances on the roads, and the NHS will be prioritising life-threatening needs.

“At the start of the industrial action we had seen a drop in the volume of calls for ambulances but this has begun to increase again, and we would like to remind local people 999 should only be used in a life-threatening emergency. If you have an urgent medical concern which is not life-threatening, please contact NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the best service to help you.”

There are three simple steps local people can take to help themselves and to help the local NHS manage pressures during the upcoming industrial action.

1. Seek medical assistance early from your local pharmacy, the urgent care centre or 111.nhs.uk to avoid conditions becoming worse and needing urgent medical help.
2. Use NHS services wisely – 999 should only be used for life-threatening emergencies and if it safe to do, local people should make their own way to a treatment centre or hospital to enable ambulances with life-saving equipment and clinicians on board to be directed to people who really need them.

3.     If it is urgent but not life-threatening please use 111.nhs.uk to be assessed and directed to the best service to treat your health concern.

Options available to patients during strike action:

Patients who have an appointment on strike days
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless your local NHS provider has contacted you to reschedule. If they have not contacted you, please attend your appointment.

GP services will be running as normal on strike days. Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments as planned.

Patients with urgent but not life-threatening health concerns
Anyone who needs urgent care should use 111.nhs.uk to be assessed and directed to the right care for them. If you do not have internet access or you are contacting 111 about a patient aged 5 or under, please call 111 instead.

Patients with minor illnesses and injuries
Your local pharmacy can help with minor illnesses like coughs, colds and red eye. They are open late and no appointment is needed.

Corby Urgent Care Centre is open every day between 8am and 8pm and can help with minor injuries/ illnesses such as lacerations, sprains, strains, minor burns or scalds.
Patients should continue to call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.