RCN industrial action - an update 

The Royal College of Nurses is taking industrial action from 8pm this Sunday 30 April until midnight on bank holiday Monday 1 May.

This is now ending 24 hours earlier than had been planned. We are therefore reinstating some appointments for Tuesday 2 May that we had postponed so we could focus on patient safety.

We will be contacting all those whose appointments we can reinstate, so please wait for confirmation first and do not attend if you haven’t been contacted. Thank you for your understanding.  

Help us continue to provide care for those who need it most by using the right services at the right time:

• Keep 999 and A&E clear for life-threatening emergencies
• No-one should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes and people with serious, life-threatening conditions will continue to be seen at our emergency departments. However, please keep 999 and A&E clear for life-threatening emergencies
• Use NHS 111 online or by phone for other urgent care needs. If you are contacting 111, please give as much information as you can, as that will help you get the right support and advice.
• For non-urgent care services please contact your GP practice to make an appointment.

Mental Health support

If you need mental health support call Connection on 0800 652 0190. The Connection service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Visit your local pharmacy

Pharmacies can help with allergies, constipation, headaches, earaches and many other ailments.

Find a pharmacy near you.

Patient discharge

Staying in hospital for longer than necessary has a negative impact on how well patients recover. Most patients will continue to recover at home once they leave hospital. In fact, many patients need to leave hospital to be able to complete their recovery fully.

Help us get patients who are ready for discharge home, so our hospital beds are available for people who need them most urgently.

Please speak to the ward team if you need more information and respond quickly to any calls from us about your relative leaving hospital.