Advice for patients during industrial action taking place from 2nd to 5th October

Members of the public are asked to choose the right healthcare service for their needs during the latest rounds of industrial action.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust is preparing for industrial action from both consultants and postgraduate doctors, who will be striking between 7am on Monday 2nd October and 7am on Thursday 5th October.

Postgraduate doctors have anywhere up to eight years' experience, while consultants are the most senior clinicians.

If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The Trust will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled.

Urgent and emergency services will continue to be provided, although the NHS is asking patients to choose services appropriately during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and only using 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.

Jo Lydon, Chief Operating Officer at UHCW NHS Trust, said: “The NHS continues to face high demand and our staff are working hard to provide patients with the best possible care during what is already a busy period in the NHS.

“During the upcoming industrial action, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases. However, if it is non-life threatening, please think about which is the most appropriate service for your needs.

“Thank you for your ongoing patience and support.”

For support and advice on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, please click on the relevant links.