Published on: 18 December 2023
Junior doctors have voted to take industrial action at NHS Trusts across England, including Trusts serving Derby and Derbyshire.
There will be industrial action by junior doctors on the following days:
- From 7am on Wednesday 20 December to 7am on Saturday 23 December 2023
- From 7am on Wednesday 3 January to 7am on Tuesday 9 January 2024.
While some NHS services – such as community and district nursing services – will be largely unaffected by this industrial action, there may be disruption to other services including hospital services, mental health services and primary care (general practice). NHS services in Derby and Derbyshire are also likely to be placed under increased strain because of the industrial action.
Key messages
Our key messages to people in Derby and Derbyshire are:
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If your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to industrial action, the NHS will contact you. Please attend your appointments as normal unless you are contacted.
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If your appointment needs to be rearranged, NHS staff may try to call you from a withheld number. We understand that it may be frustrating if your appointment needs to be rescheduled, but please show courtesy to the member of staff who is calling you.
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Please use health services wisely during the industrial action and 'think which service' is best for your needs, to help ensure care is available to those who need it most. Please use NHS 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and only using 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
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It is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk. A&E, ambulance and 999 services in Derby and Derbyshire will remain available on all industrial action strike dates.
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People in mental health crisis or distress should continue to seek support as normal. Mental health crisis services will be running throughout the period, as will the Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service (0800 028 0077). Please be patient when calling the helpline as the helpline team are likely to receive a large number of calls. Sources of support can be found on the emotional health and wellbeing website, the Hub of Hope website and the Derbyshire County Council website. Or view our help in a mental health crisis page.
Latest updates
For the most up-to-date information about the industrial action, please see the NHS England website. Or for local information, view the Joined Up Care Derbyshire website or view the following social media accounts:
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
https://twitter.com/royalhospital
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust
https://twitter.com/DCHStrust
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
https://twitter.com/derbyshcft
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
https://twitter.com/UHDBTrust
