The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has advised that they are taking industrial action on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 January 2023. The strike action will last for 12 hours on each day, 8.00am – 8.00pm.
As a result of the industrial action, a number of RCN members that work at Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust will be on strike on these days. Some services that we provide on each strike day may be reduced or operate differently.
Urgent Care
The Walk-in Centres at Victoria Central Health Centre (VCH) and Eastham Clinic are closed on both strike days and will re-open on Friday 20 January.
If you feel you need treatment, alternative services are available:
- Urgent Treatment Centre, Arrowe Park Hospital
- Minor Injury & Illness Service, Miriam Medical Centre
- Visit 111 online
- Your GP or pharmacy
The Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC)
The UTC will be open from 8.00am – 10.00pm with a reduced service.
We expect demand to be high and people will be prioritised based on their clinical need.
Patients will be seen in order of urgency, not time of arrival, so waiting times can change.
Community Nursing Services
Our community nursing teams are providing a reduced service and nursing teams have been in contact with patients and their carers to ensure that their needs are met and identified those who require ongoing care during this time.
Appointments
Those patients whose appointments are impacted have already been advised and their appointments/visits are being rearranged.
If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
The Trust respects the right of trade union members to take part in planned industrial action. NHS pay is a matter for the Government and trade unions. The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage any disruption, including industrial action.
GP services are not impacted by this strike action. Please continue to attend your GP appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
Irrespective of any industrial action, please do not hesitate to come forward to access care if you need it. As always, where possible please try NHS 111, your GP or high street pharmacy first.
NHS 111 Online can tell you:
- Where to get help for your symptoms, if you’re not sure what to do
- How to find general health information and advice
- Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
- How to get a repeat prescription
Patients are being asked to consider using NHS services wisely to ensure care is available to those who need it most during the various instances of industrial action. Further information about how industrial action may affect services can be found on the Cheshire and Merseyside NHS website.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening?
Trade unions representing NHS staff are in dispute with the Government over the 2022/23 pay award.
Industrial action includes:
- Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 January
- UNISON – Monday 23 January
As a result of the industrial action, a number of RCN members that work at Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust will be on strike on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 January. The strike action will last for 12 hours on each day, 8.00am – 8.00pm. Some services are affected and we are working closely with union representatives to maintain the safety and welfare of our patients during this time and to ensure any impact on our services are minimised.
When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?
A member of the team 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.
What if I have an appointment on a strike day?
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned unless a member of our team has contacted you to reschedule.
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. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment during the strikes.
Will GP services be affected on strike days?
GP services will be running as normal on strike days. Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments.
How long will services be impacted?
The nurses strikes on 18 and 19 January will last for 12 hours and the ambulance strikes on 23 January will last for up to 24 hours.
However patients should be aware that it may take slightly longer for services to return to normal.
