[Information provided by NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Image description: NHS logo, white text on blue background]

GP collective action across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

General Practice (GP) nationwide are taking collective action from Thurs 1 Aug 2024, but health leaders are asking the public to continue to come forward for care as usual.

While not classed as industrial (strike) action, GP collective action is expected to disrupt services within General Practice and across the wider health system, incl. hospital services and community pharmacy.

Partners across the Integrated Care System (ICS) are working together to monitor the situation closely to ensure care continues to be delivered safely and that patient needs continue to be met.

Important patient information:

General Practices are still open and seeing patients, but patients may be directed to other local health services. Appointments can still be booked with GP practices and patients should still attend scheduled appointments unless otherwise advised. 

We also ask patients to please continue to use the healthcare service which best suits your needs. Visit Think Which Service for help and advice on which service is right for you. For urgent medical advice, if it’s not an emergency, please visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 from a landline or mobile. For life threatening emergencies, dial 999. 

How to help the local healthcare system:

• NHS 111 online can advise where to get help for symptoms if you’re unsure what to do, on general health info and advice, emergency prescriptions and repeat prescription. You can also call NHS 111 to speak to a clinician and make bookings for urgent treatment centres and other services. Online and phone services are available 24/7.
• Minor Injury Units help with injuries that need attention urgently but are not critical or life threatening, incl. cuts, sprains, and rashes. The units are staffed by Registered Nurses. There are four Minor Injury Units in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin:

o Bridgnorth Community Hospital

o Ludlow Community Hospital

o Whitchurch Community Hospital

o Oswestry Health Centre

• Urgent Treatment Centres treat injuries incl. sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds, and other non-emergency conditions. Waiting times are usually much shorter than A&E. We have UTCs at both Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital, Telford within our Emergency Departments (open 9am - 9pm, seven days/week).
• Anyone who is in mental health distress should call the Mental Health Crisis Line: 0808 196 4501 (open 24 hours/day).
• Community Pharmacists are experts in medicine who can help with minor health concerns. They can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, e.g. coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains. If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists are trained to make sure you get the help you need and can signpost you to an appropriate NHS service. Find a pharmacy near you: Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Pharmacy First: If you have one of the conditions below, your local pharmacist can offer you advice, treatment, incl. prescription medicine, or refer you to another healthcare professional if needed:

· earache (aged 1-17yrs)

· impetigo (aged 1yr+)

· infected insect bites (aged 1yr+)

· shingles (aged 18yrs+)

· sinusitis (aged 12yrs+)

· sore throat (aged 5yrs+)

· urinary tract infections (women aged 16-64yrs)

More info on GP collective action can be found here: GP collective action across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin - NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (shropshiretelfordandwrekin.nhs.uk)