NHS Urges Sussex Residents To Avoid A&E As Junior Doctors Strike Again Today

People across Sussex are being urged to help the NHS this week and only use emergency services in a true emergency amid rising demand on services.

Junior doctors are currently on strike across hospital, community, mental health and GP services. Action started on Monday, March 13 and continues today (Wednesday, March 15).

However, emergency departments and A&Es have continued to be busy, with many people who could have been seen elsewhere appropriately.

With lower workforce across health services, including our hospitals, during the industrial action, the NHS is calling for people to make sure critical services are available for the most unwell.

Emergency care is being prioritised and 999 and emergency departments are still the right services if it is a life-saving emergency.

However, for anything that isn’t a life-threatening illness or injury, people are being urged to use 111 online as the first port of call for health needs. People can also call 111 for help, advice and signposting to the most appropriate service.

Pharmacies, walk in centres, minor injury units and urgent treatment centres will continue to be available. These are open during the industrial action and can help people with a range of injuries and illnesses. See the full list of open services.

There are several walk-in and minor injury services and urgent treatment centres available across Sussex to help with illness and injury which are urgent but not life threatening:

• Brighton Health Centre walk in service, Brighton Station open 8am-8pm every day
• Queen Victoria Hospital Minor Injury Unit, East Grinstead, open 8am-8pm every day
• Crowborough Minor Injury Unit open 8am-8pm every day
• Uckfield Minor Injury Unit open 8am-8pm every day
• Lewes Urgent Treatment Centre open 8am-8pm every day
• Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital Minor Injury Unit 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
• Crawley Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre open 24 ours everyday
• Worthing Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre
• St Richard’s Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre

Pharmacists can also give expert clinical advice for minor health concerns and help with many common illnesses like sore throats, coughs, colds, tummy troubles and aches and pains. Pharmacists are trained experts in managing minor illnesses and using medicines safely. They can advise on the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Most local pharmacies have private consultation rooms where your pharmacist can talk to people confidentially.

If you need urgent help or advice in relation to your mental health, a range of support is available including the free, confidential Shout service which is available 24/7 and can be accessed by texting SUSSEX to 85258. The Sussex Mental Health Line, that provides listening support, advice and information, is also available on 0800 0309 500. You can also find more information on Sussex Partnership website sussexpartnership.nhs.uk which includes how to get urgent help.

NHS Sussex Chief Medical Officer, Dr Dinesh Sinha, said:

“We are asking everyone to Help Us Help You by only during these three days by using emergency departments and 999 for life-saving illnesses or injuries to ensure care is available to patients who need it most. If it is not an emergency, use NHS 111 online as the first port of call for help, advice and support. 

“We thank the public for their support and we are also incredibly grateful to all of the health and care staff across Sussex for their hard work and dedication.”

Some planned appointments and clinics have been affected but people are being urged to continue to attend your appointments unless you are contacted directly by the NHS. Patients also do not need to contact their NHS service or team in advance, the team will contact patients directly if an appointment needs to be rescheduled. 

For those who do need help for urgent care that’s not an emergency, there are alternatives to visiting A&E across Sussex. 

Read a full list of health services available if you need urgent NHS support.