Advice for patients ahead of resident doctors’ strike

The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) is advising patients on how to get the right care during a four-day resident doctors’ strike starting next week.

Resident doctors, who mainly work in hospitals, will take strike action from 7am on Monday 15 June to 6.59am on Friday 19 June.

Services during the strike

• Please attend any planned appointments as normal unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
• GP practices and dental services will remain open.
• There may be small changes to services in some GP practices if resident doctors normally work there.
• The NHS will be working hard to ensure people can continue to access the care they need.

It is important that you still come forward for care if you need it, so that health problems do not become more serious.

Getting the right care

The local NHS recommends following its two-step approach, ‘Need Help Fast?’, to get the right care, in the right place. This applies all year round, including during industrial action:

Step 1: Start with self-care or local services
Try to manage minor conditions yourself or get help from:

• Your local pharmacy
• NHS 111 online
• The NHS App

Step 2: Seek further help if needed
If your condition doesn’t improve, or is more serious:

• Contact your GP practice, or
• Use NHS 111 if your GP practice is closed

They will help you access the most appropriate service. This may include:

• Your GP practice
• A pharmacy (through the Pharmacy First scheme)
• An urgent treatment centre
• Another local GP or health service (evenings, weekends and bank holidays)

Walk-in services

You can also use the following walk-in services without an appointment:

• Loughborough Urgent Treatment Centre
• Oadby Urgent Treatment Centre
• Merlyn Vaz Urgent Treatment Centre
• Market Harborough Minor Injury Unit
• Melton Minor Injury Unit
• Rutland Minor Injury and Illness Service (small number of slots for minor injuries only – for a limited period)

Where possible, use NHS 111 first so you can be directed to the most appropriate service.

Emergency and urgent support

• For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 or go to the emergency department.
• If you attend A&E for a non-emergency, you may be redirected to a more suitable service.

Mental health support

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis:

• Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option
• Text 07480 635199 for a response within four hours
• Visit a Neighbourhood Mental Health Café

How else you can help

• If you’re staying in England and are away from home and need a GP appointment for routine treatment, please call your own surgery. And if you need a prescription, they can send it to any pharmacy you choose.
• Make sure you have enough of your prescribed medications. You can easily order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, though your GP practice website or, if you do not have access to GP online services, by calling your GP practice.
• Ensure you have a fully stocked first aid kit at home or with you. Find out what you need in our medicine box.  

Find out more

For more information, visit:
https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/need-help-fast/