RCN industrial action update: Sunday 30 April – Monday 1 May.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is taking industrial action at a number of NHS trusts, including Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.  This will take place on Sunday 30 April (from 8pm) to Monday 1 May (at 23:59).

Industrial action is a national dispute between the Government and Trades Unions about terms and conditions.

We are committed to maintaining patient care as much as possible and providing the most essential services on these days, however some planned procedures and appointments may be postponed to ensure that we can provide safe emergency and inpatient care during this time.

Appointments

If you have an appointment during the period of strike action, please attend as usual unless you hear from us. Please don't call to check if your appointment is going ahead. We will be in touch with patients directly if we need to rearrange your appointment.

Visiting patients

We continue to welcome family members and loved ones to visit patients at our hospitals, please speak to your ward to arrange visits as usual.

Which service should I access?

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.

• If you have a life-threatening emergency, our Emergency Departments at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil Hospital are open 24 hours a day
• If you have an urgent medical problem that isn’t a serious or life-threatening emergency and aren’t sure what to do, contact 111 first by phone, or online at 111.nhs.uk – they will provide immediate medical advice and direct you to the best care for your needs
• Minor injury unit: Attend your local minor injuries unit for urgent, not life-threatening conditions and injuries such as sprains, fractures and burns. There may be some changes to opening hours during the strike action, for the latest information on opening hours and services, visit the MIU pages.
• GP practices will continue to be open during the junior doctors strike. Please continue to attend your GP and dental appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
• Self-care: Visit NHS 111 online for self-care advice for things like grazed knees, coughs and colds
• Pharmacy: Visit your local pharmacy for headaches, upset stomachs, aches and pains

More information about healthcare services across Somerset is available on the NHS Somerset website.

Please 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.

Useful links:

Visit the NHS England website for more information about the strikes, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions