Resident Doctors’ strike action starts on Friday morning and we will be doing all we can to reduce any significant disruption to our services.
Our Trust will work hard along with other healthcare organisations to deliver the best possible care.
Resident doctors who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) will be striking from 7am on Friday (14 November) to 7am on Wednesday 19 November.
Wherever possible, we are running services as normal, so if you do have an appointment please attend. We will contact anybody if we need to reschedule due to the strike action.
If you have a life-threatening emergency, our emergency departments remain open 24 hours a day, so please continue to come forward as normal.
We are encouraging people to help in any way possible and if you do not have a life-threatening emergency please think of the other options available to you.
You can also visit NHS 111 online or call 111 if you need urgent medical help or consider visiting your local Minor Injury Unit in Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry and Whitchurch.
There is also your local pharmacy or GP. For further information about Think Which Service, which aims to help you to know where to go to get the right advice, support and treatment for your health needs as quickly as possible, visit: http://thinkwhichservice.co.uk
We would also ask you to look after yourselves, loved ones and check in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
A predicted spike in flu is also expected after this period of industrial action, so we would urge people to get their flu and also COVID-19 vaccines to help stay protected.
Flu and COVID-19 can both cause serious illness, particularly for older adults, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions. Vaccination offers the best protection for individuals and helps reduce pressure on the NHS during the busy winter season.
Those groups eligible for the flu jab, include those aged 65 and over, those with long-term health conditions, pregnant women, carers, care home residents, people living with someone who has a weakened immune system, frontline health and care workers, and all children aged 2 to 3, school aged from Reception to Year 11 and all children in a clinical risk group aged from 6 months to less than 18 years.
Adults should check their eligibility and can book their vaccines using the NHS App, the NHS website, or by calling 119. Eligible individuals may also receive an invitation from their GP or NHS.
Pregnant women can get the flu or COVID-19 vaccine during a routine antenatal appointment or at their GP surgery.
School-aged children (from reception to year 11) will be offered the flu nasal spray at school or local clinics (for home educated children) with parental consent. Children aged two and three years, as well as those with long-term health conditions, will be able to get their flu vaccine at their GP practice or a local pharmacy that offers NHS children’s flu vaccination.
For most children, the vaccine will be given via a nasal spray.
This winter, the COVID-19 vaccine is available on the NHS for people aged 75 and over; residents in care homes for older adults and those with weakened immune systems aged six months and over.