Junior doctor have started a 72-hour walk-out this week over their ongoing pay dispute with government.
The strike will run from 7am, Wednesday 14 June until 7am, Saturday 17 June.
Junior doctors can include experienced medics with a decade of training and as before, their work this week will be covered by consultants and reduced levels of service, although the NHS still urges people with genuine health emergencies to call 999.
The Royal Berkshire Hospital have asked that people choose wisely this week, as high pollen levels have been exacerbating asthma and hay fever attacks.
Information from the RBH - Help us to help you by choosing healthcare services wisely this week | Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
This industrial action also comes at the same time as NHS Trusts across the area are seeing increased attendance in Emergency Departments, Urgent Care Centres and Minor Injuries due to the recent hot weather and high pollen levels/hayfever, which is set to continue for the next couple of weeks.
How will this affect me and/or my family:
Will emergency care be affected on strike days? Emergency care will continue to be available across Berkshire. It is really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or their life is at risk patients continue to come forward as normal.
What if I need urgent or emergency care? Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the right care for them.
When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999 or attending A&E.
The NHS.UK website has more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E.
What if I have an appointment on a strike day? Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless your local NHS provider has contacted you to reschedule. If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment even if your NHS Trust is affected by strikes.
When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled? The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a letter or phone call, and you should be offered an alternative date for your appointment. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
Is there anything I should do now? No, the NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes? No, if we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
Are there further strikes planned? Currently, a ballot of nurse members of the Royal College of Nursing is underway until 23 June about a new mandate for a national strike, and also for hospital consultant members of the British Medical Association in their first vote on whether they support industrial action, which closes on 27 June.
For more information and advice
Information on strike action from NHS England, click here.
Advice for hayfever and high pollen levels, as the pollen count remains high, and will continue for the next couple of weeks: Hay fever - NHS (www.nhs.uk). You can also visit your local pharmacy for advice on hayfever for you and your loved ones.
We would like to hear from you if the strike action has affected you. Call us or share your view with us HERE