With five days of industrial action by resident doctors underway, health bosses are urging people to use NHS 111 for all non-emergency healthcare needs.

Unions have announced a full walkout of resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors) from 7am Friday 25th July to 7am Wednesday 30th July.

Get assessed and directed to the right place  

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Medical Director, Professor Rowan Pritchard Jones, said: “You should still call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

“But if you need urgent medical help and you're not sure where to go, use NHS 111 online to get assessed and directed to the right place for you”.

NHS 111

The NHS 111 service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You can call 111, go online at https://111.nhs.uk/ or use the NHS App to find out:

• Where to get help for your symptoms
• How to find general health information and advice
• Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
• How to get a repeat prescription
• How to get an emergency dental appointment

If needed, NHS 111 can also arrange a call back from a nurse, doctor or paramedic or an appointment at the most appropriate local service including local pharmacies, urgent treatment centres, GP practices or A&E.

Planned care

The NHS will continue to deliver planned care where possible, especially for patients in greatest clinical need, and we would urge the public to attend any planned appointments unless contacted directly by the NHS to reschedule.

Local NHS services will be using their websites and social media channels to provide up-to-date information to the public about local service disruption – so please check before you travel.

More information

You can use the national NHS website to find out more information about: 

• when to call 999.
   
• when to go to A&E.