As many of you will be aware, junior doctors across England are currently taking part in the longest period of strike action in the history of the NHS. This latest round of industrial action began at 7am on 3 January and will end at 7am on 9 January. We have been working tirelessly with our partners across the local healthcare system and wanted to draw your attention to an open letter to the public written by Dr Timothy Ho, Chief Medical Officer, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust and Dr Lalitha Iyer, Chief Medical Officer, NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board to help you during this challenging period.
Winter is always a busy time for the NHS, particularly after periods of bank holidays. Your local NHS is asking everyone to take extra care of themselves and to not attend Emergency Departments at Frimley Park Hospital and Wexham Park Hospital for matters that can be resolved by self care or care from community services such as your GP practice, community pharmacy or NHS 111.
If you need urgent help, for example if you're very sick or your life is in danger, please do go to the emergency department. But, only go there or call 999 if it's really serious.
If you're unsure, call NHS 111 for advice. You can also visit a pharmacy or contact your GP practice if it’s not an emergency.
It’s important to remember that if you have a scheduled outpatient appointment, please keep it. If anything changes, the hospital will let you know.
Please also help us by taking family or friends home from hospital when they are well enough. This will help free up beds for others who need them.
Our emergency departments are currently very busy, and patients are waiting much longer or being directed to an urgent care centre instead. You can find information about urgent care centres here: Choose the right service | Frimley Health and Care
We are sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. We also thank our colleagues in our hospitals and primary care for their hard work.
Thank you for supporting us at this time.
Dr Timothy Ho, Chief Medical Officer, Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustDr Lalitha Iyer, Chief Medical Officer, NHS Frimley Integrated Care BoardÂ
