Bolton NHS Foundation Trust is preparing for further strikes after both junior doctors and consultants voted for industrial action in July.

Junior doctors will strike for five days from 7am on Thursday 13 July until 7am on Tuesday 18 July 2023.

Consultants will be taking strike action for 48 hours from 7am on Thursday 20 July until 7am on Saturday 22 July.

What will be different?

As a result of the strike action many routine appointments and procedures will be postponed to help us focus on keeping our sickest patients safe.

We will be contacting patients directly to let you know if your appointment has been postponed.

If you have not heard from us, please attend your appointment as normal. There is no need to call to check if your appointment is going ahead.

We are still here to support you throughout this time. Our urgent and emergency services are here to help those who need it, just like at any other time.

How you can help

To support the NHS during strike action, people across Bolton are being asked to make sure they are choosing the right health services.

NHS 111 is available 24/7 for people to contact either by phone or online.

The Be The Difference Bolton website has information to help you choose the right NHS service for your health need.

The While you wait website also has lots of helpful information on staying well whilst you wait for treatment.

If a relative or friend is due to be discharged from hospital and needs to be collected, help by bringing them home as early as possible. This will free-up beds for someone waiting to be admitted.

This latest period of strike action will create significant challenges for the NHS and it is vital people are aware of the pressure the health service will be under and know the best way to access care during that time.

Your support during previous periods of industrial action has been invaluable and we are immensely grateful for how you continue to use NHS services appropriately during these times of pressure.