Junior doctors are set to take industrial action over pay from Friday for five days.
The medical staff want the Government to agree to a rise in wages – having rejected an offer of six per cent and an extra £1,250.
NHS bosses are warning people that services will be affected – and while people with urgent or life-threatening issues would always be prioritised, those with non-urgent needs should expect long waits.
It is the fifth strike in this pay dispute however the impact on services is expected to be greater as many staff take their annual leave in August.
Junior doctors will exercise their right to strike over five days from 7am on Friday, August 11, until 7am on Tuesday August 15.
The North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven and Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary, said appointments and treatments were being rescheduled and it would contact anyone whose appointment is affected.
If people are not contacted, then they must attend their appointment as normal.
Dr Adrian Clements, medical director at the trust, said: “During the strike action the Cumbrian public are urged to help where they can. Families and friends are asked to help support patients to be discharged home by considering the support they can offer to meet care needs.
“I also remind the public to keep their appointments unless they hear otherwise. Anyone needing urgent mental health support should continue to seek it via their local crisis team.
“We are prioritising emergency and urgent care services, and we really need the public’s help to only call 999 and attend emergency departments if it is a genuine life-threatening injury or illness.”
Everyone is urged to continue to use 111 online, GPs and pharmacies as the first port of call for advice as these services are not affected by the strikes.
The walk-in Urgent Treatment Centres in Penrith and Keswick can also help with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions such as cuts and grazes, ear and throat infections, emergency contraception, minor head injuries and minor scalds and burns.
Penrith Urgent Treatment Centre is open between 8am and 10pm and Keswick Urgent Treatment Centre is open from 8.30am until 6pm.
Parents, carers and young people can also use the Healthier Together app or website which provides NHS healthcare advice and top tips on a range of child-related illnesses along with information on local services.
Lindsey Dickinson, associate medical director for primary care at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which organises health services for the region, said: “The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage the disruption caused by industrial action, but these unprecedented strikes will lead to significant service disruption.
“We are asking people to use services wisely especially as this round of industrial action coincides with the summer school holidays, meaning services will be under even more pressure.”
Dr Clements added: “While we know the impact will be greater, we have worked very hard over the last two weeks to look at how we can maintain as many services as possible. Patient safety is our main priority and while some outpatient clinics and planned surgery has had to be postponed, emergency care will be maintained. If you do access our services, please be kind to our staff.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone for their support and help; this period will be extremely difficult however we have plans in place to keep patients safe and staff supported.”
