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Surrey’s NHS reassures residents that help continues to be available during collective action by GP practices
Following the announcement yesterday (1 August) by the British Medical Association (BMA) relating to collective action by GP practices, Surrey residents are being encouraged to continue use their GP services as usual to seek advice and care.
During this period, GP practices remain open, and patients should continue to attend and make appointments in the usual way, unless they are advised otherwise by their practice.
However, during this time, GP practices may choose to make changes to some aspects of how they work and they may operate slightly differently, for example by directing patients to other local services to ensure the safe provision of care. GP practices are being encouraged to ensure any changes to services are published on their practice websites.
If people need to access health advice and treatment from their GP during this period of collective action, we are encouraging them to contact their practice as usual – and for anything else, to use services appropriately:
- People should continue to attend GP practice appointments as planned. If appointments are affected, patients will be contacted by their practice and another appointment will be scheduled as soon as possible.
- People should continue to use GP practices, pharmacies (including the Pharmacy First service), walk-in centres, the NHS App and NHS 111 online or by phone 24/7 for urgent health advice in the normal way.
- People should continue to use 999 and A&E for serious or life-threatening conditions or medical emergencies (when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk).
Professor Andy Rhodes, Joint Chief Medical Officer for Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership explains:
GP practices remain open during this period of collective action so we are encouraging members of the public to come forward for care and advice as usual – but some practices may be working differently so we may see some impact locally.
We are also asking people to use the full range of services available (including pharmacies, NHS 111 and walk-in or urgent treatment centres), helping us keep Emergency Departments and 999 for those who need them most.
Full details of local services can be found on the Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership website - or people can use NHS 111 online (www.111.nhs.uk) or call 111 24/7 if they are not sure which service they need.
Find out more on the NHS England website