Published on: 26 April 2023
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has confirmed that the next round of industrial action will take place from Sunday 30 April from 8pm to midnight on Monday 1 May (updated in line with recent changes) at various employers across the country, including Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The full list of employers can be found on the RCN website.
Regardless of any strike action taking place, 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.
Points to remember
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 30 April and 1 May, but may be running a reduced service. Please be patient when waiting to speak to a member of the helpline team
- It is really important that people 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 30 April and 1 May
- 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 continuing to only use 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, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
More information
More information about the industrial action 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.
