The Wigan NHS trust have asked for the public's help in managing the pressure on its service ahead of the four-day Easter weekend and junior doctor strikes.
Residents have been asked to do their part by taking their loved ones home when they have been discharged and to call the non-emergency number or their GP before going to the hospital with an issue.
The plea was made by Wrightington Hospital and the Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) who say that 'a number of services will be impacted' due to the strikes. Junior Doctors who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) are set to strike for a day on Tuesday (April 11) until Saturday (April 15).
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WWL’s Medical Director, Professor Sanjay Arya said: “It’s really important for me to emphasise that our healthcare services are here and will continue to be available over the Easter bank holiday weekend and during the four days of industrial action that follow, but there will be some temporary changes to how some of our services are delivered, and it’s important that everyone is prepared.
“Leading up to this extended period, our strong focus will be on protecting our urgent and emergency care services for patients who have life, limb or sight-threatening conditions, and providing safe hospital services for patients in our care.
“Everyone can help play their part in helping us by accessing services in the most appropriate way. If a condition is not life, limb or sight-threatening, please use NHS 111 online in the first instance or alternative services such as your GP, pharmacy or local urgent treatment centre. Self-care at home is just as important, and we would always advise being well-stocked on over-the-counter medications, especially ahead of bank holidays.”
The WWL say that during the strikes they will focus on 'protecting' essential wards like A&E, maternity, emergency theatres, chemotherapy, dialysis and the intensive care unit. Anyone who has an an appointment planned with WWL services during the strikes has been asked to attend as normal.
Professor Arya continued: "We are also committed to providing safe and timely discharges for patients already in our care, which is why it is really important for friends and relatives to support their loved ones through this process once they are ready to be discharged. This will help our teams to free up hospital beds for patients waiting to be admitted.
“The support we have received from the public during challenging times like that has been invaluable and we are immensely grateful to everyone for continuing to use the NHS appropriately during these times. We will need that to be the same over the next two weeks, as the combination of the bank holiday and industrial action will create significant pressure in the healthcare system.”
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