The NHS in South Yorkshire is urging the public to be aware of disruption across many NHS services in the days during the Bank Holiday coming up due to planned industrial strike action by many nursing staff.
The action is due to take place from 8pm on Sunday 30 April to 8pm on Tuesday 2 May 2023, during which time there will fewer nurses providing care in hospitals and across some mental health services.
Cathy Winfield, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS South Yorkshire, said: “We expect the planned action to impact on a number of NHS services and so we’re asking people to please choose wisely and consider alternative options than attending A&E or calling 999.
“Across South Yorkshire the NHS will be prioritising resources to protect critical and emergency services. We expect emergency and urgent care services to be extremely busy during the industrial action, which coincides with the bank holiday, so our communities are encouraged to visit their pharmacy or NHS111 online where possible.
“However, it is still important that people who need emergency medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases.
“If you have scheduled appointments during this time, please attend as planned. You will be contacted if your appointment needs to be cancelled or rescheduled.”
The public are being asked to make use of the NHS 111 online service to get advice on treatments or conditions in the first instance unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
Please also remember to order any repeat prescriptions in good time in preparation for the long holiday weekend.