26 June 2024

The British Medical Association has announced that industrial action by junior doctors is planned to take place for five days from 7am on Thursday 27 June 2024 until 7am on Tuesday 2 July 2024.

This action will impact services across all Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust sites, so we wanted to update anyone with an appointment during this time and share how you can help your local NHS services.

During industrial action, we will continue to prioritise the delivery of emergency and life-saving care, while working with our teams to ensure the safety and welfare of our patients and our colleagues, and minimising disruption, where possible.

  • Appointments - if you have an appointment or procedure during this time, please attend unless you hear from us. You don’t need to call to check if your appointment is going ahead, as if we need to rearrange, we will contact you directly by phone or text.
  • Our Emergency Department (ED) - if you have a life-threatening emergency, our ED remains open. If you are seriously ill or injured, or your life is at risk, please continue to seek urgent care. If appropriate, patients may be redirected to another service so that we can prioritise patients that need our care.

Please continue to treat all our staff with respect and thank you in advance for your support.

 

How can you help?

  • Unsure where to get urgent help - If your need is urgent, but not an emergency, please contact your GP practice as usual during opening hours or use NHS 111 Online to be assessed and directed to the right place for your needs. You can also use NHS 111 for help with an unwell child or mental health concern.
  • If you have an unwell child or are pregnant – you can get help and advice on a range on common conditions from the Healthier Together website or download the app for free.
  • Help get your loved ones home – check when your loved one is ready to be discharged so you can arrange transport and make sure they have everything they need (such as clothing and keys) to return home.
  • Mental health advice – the Portsmouth Mental Health Hub can help if you need someone to talk to or are unsure where to go for support with your mental health. You can call the hub on 0300 123 6621 (Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm).
  • Self-care - a well-stocked first-aid kit could help you self-care at home. Useful items include paracetamol and aspirin, re-hydration remedies, antiseptic cream, plasters, antihistamines, sunscreen, and after-sun.
  • Norovirus – if you have symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting, please don’t visit the hospital as these types of infections can spread quickly. Visit NHS 111 if you need help but are unsure what to do.
  • Increased temperatures - there are things you can do to help keep cool and reduce your risk of overheating. Don’t forget to check in on vulnerable neighbours, friends and family.