Junior doctor industrial action – 11th to 13th April 2023

What is happening and when?

Junior doctors are expected to go on strike from Tuesday 11th April for 96 hours to Thursday 13th April.

This will follow the four day Easter weekend, and with these combined factors, it is expected that the next fortnight will be extremely challenging for local health services.

How will services be affected?

Health and care partners are working together to maintain patient safety, however the impact of these strikes on patient care is expected to be extensive, and on a scale significantly beyond that of previous rounds of industrial action.

NHS leaders are calling for the public’s support to make sure that those most unwell can continue to get the help and care they need.

People are being urged to think carefully about the most appropriate service if need NHS help next week.

What steps should I take?

Local health and care services are highlighting that it is important the public play their part and follow their ‘Help Us Help You’ advice to ensure you are able to access the care and support they need.

Our NHS colleagues are requesting local people take the following actions:

1. To think very carefully about choosing the most appropriate NHS service for your needs and only use 999 and A&E departments for serious or life-saving emergencies, such as chest pain, severe bleeding or breathing difficulties. For anything that isn’t a life-saving emergency, use an alternative NHS service such as a Minor Injury Unit (MIU) or UTC (Urgent Treatment Centre) and to use NHS 111 as the first port of call either online or by phone.
2. To know that if you do need support and care, it may take longer than you might expect to be seen and treated, so please be patient and continue to use the most appropriate service for your needs.
3. To please collect family and friends from hospital as soon as they are ready to be discharged, and support the discharge process to available community beds, to allow acute hospital beds to be freed up for those who need them most.

Tell Us Your Experiences

Please tell us your experiences of local health and care services via our Feedback Centre and let us know how this has been for you.

We want to hear if it has been good, bad or indifferent.

Help and support with Health and Care

If you need help or support related to health or care, then please contact our Information & Signposting Service via

0333 101 4007 or enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk