Health leaders across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are urging local people to choose services wisely this Bank Holiday and ahead of strike action.
The Bank Holiday is typically a busy period for NHS staff, but junior doctors are set to undertake strike action from Tuesday 11th April until Saturday 15th April.
While strike action takes place, hospitals will run differently to normal with resources prioritised in order to provide urgent and emergency services, maternity services and ward based care, local NHS bosses warn.
"We are urging our local population to choose health and care services wisely and take simple steps to ensure care is available to patients who need it most," a spokesperson said.
"This includes using 111 Online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to attend Emergency Departments only if it is a life-threatening emergency."
GP practices and pharmacies will be running as usual during the strike.
Dr Sarah Whiteman, Chief Medical Director for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said: “We are encouraging local people to think carefully before using NHS services over the Easter weekend and the following week.
“You should only attend an accident and emergency department if you require emergency, life-saving care. Anybody needing non-urgent care should seek help from 111 Online in the first instance at 111.nhs.uk.
“GP practices and pharmacies will be running as usual during the strike, and some pharmacies will remain open over the Easter weekend.
“The strike action will cause significant disruption, services may be busier than usual, and there are likely to be longer waiting times, particularly at our hospitals’ Emergency Departments.”
