‘Think carefully’ - South Tyneside NHS Trust’s message to patients ahead of Easter and strike action
South Tyneside’s NHS Trust is urging patients to “think carefully” ahead of the Easter weekend and doctors strike.
Bosses at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) have issued a call to members of the public to think about where to seek help before heading to an Emergency Department or calling 999 this Easter weekend.
As well as the busy bank holiday weekend, the Trust is also preparing for six days of industrial action by the British Medical Association (BMA), which has announced resident doctors will strike.
The action is set to run from 7am on Tuesday, April 7, until just before 7am on Monday, April 13.
As a result, the Trust is urging patients to get ready for the Easter Bank Holiday by making sure they have enough prescription medication and a well-stocked medicine cupboard.
STSFT has confirmed that there will be reduced access to GP surgeries and pharmacies over Easter but its emergency departments will remain open to help anyone in an emergency.
Out-of-hours GP services will accessible across the Trust’s communities - with surgeries having details in place to help, should an appointment be needed.
Anyone who requires any repeat prescriptions should make their requests within the next couple of days to allow GP surgeries time to handle the requests.
Sheena Fish, the Trust’s Lead Divisional Director, said: “Our Emergency Departments are always very busy places and more so during the Bank Holidays. We’re expecting this to continue as the strike action takes place after the weekend.
“We will have safe levels of care available at our hospitals. But we always need to make sure we see those who are most seriously hurt or unwell first.
“That means anyone else could face a long wait and then still be told to go elsewhere for treatment.
“This is why we’re asking people to think carefully about where they should get help before they come to hospital.
“Some appointments might need to be rescheduled because of the industrial action but unless you hear otherwise, please still come in for your next visit.”
Health services over Easter
Anyone who needs medical advice or to check where is the right place for their care over Easter can use NHS 111 Online as a first port of call - in an emergency, people should call 999 or head for their nearest A&E.
Health advice is also available via the NHS App, the NHS website or your GP practice website.
Repeat prescriptions can be ordered online, with opening hours for over Easter available at: https://www.thinkpharmacyfirst.health/.
Children’s health advice can be accessed by downloading the ‘Little Orange Book’, which offers tips about a wide range of illnesses and conditions - you can access it via: https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/media/xu2clvqq/lob_booklet_24_v1-5.pdf.
British Sign Language (BSL) speakers can make a BSL video call to 999.
Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay, with more details available at: https://999bsl.co.uk/.
If over the Easter bank holiday weekend you are concerned about how much you, or someone you know, drinks, then there is still help available.
You can speak to your GP, find your local alcohol support service, contact Drinkline on freephone 0300 123 1110 or Alcoholics Anonymous on 0845 769 7555.
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