RCN industrial action, 18 and 19 January - information for the public

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has confirmed that a second round of industrial action will take place on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 January at various employers across the country, including here at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The full list of employers can be found on the RCN website. The NHS wants to see a resolution as soon as possible, but pay is a matter for the government and the trade unions.

Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that people who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency situations.

Here are some key points to remember:

• If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
• Our inpatient wards at Kingsway Hospital, the Radbourne Unit and the Hartington Unit will remain open, though with lower staffing levels than usual. Our main crisis services will also be available, but will be prioritising those with the most urgent care needs.
• The Derbyshire Mental Health and Support Service Helpline (0800 028 0077) will remain open on 18 and 19 January, but will be running a reduced service. 
• 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 are not affected by the industrial action on 18 and 19 January.
• GP services are not impacted by this strike action. Please continue to attend your GP appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
• The NHS is asking patients to use services wisely during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and only using 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
• The NHS is also asking the public to play their part by taking simple steps during industrial action to look after themselves and loved ones and by checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.

More information about the industrial action, and advice for patients and the public, can be found on the NHS England website.

Information about the impact of the industrial action on community health services in Derbyshire can be found on the Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust website.