22 August 2025
Local residents invited to have their say on community and mental health…
People living in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will get the chance to shape the future of community and mental health services in the area,…
Home » News » Get the help you need during the current industrial action
We expect all NHS services to be extremely busy during industrial action by junior doctors, from 20-23 December and from 3-9 January. Please help us to help you by seeking advice from the most appropriate service for your needs.
For many minor illnesses, you can look after yourself or a loved one at home. You can prepare to care for yourself or loved ones by keeping a range of simple medicines and first aid supplies at home. Check the advice on nhs.uk on what you might keep in a first aid kit at home (and remember always to keep it locked and out of the reach of children!)
Your local pharmacy is an excellent source of health advice from trained, professional staff, who can recommend remedies for a wide range of illnesses and injuries. You can walk in for instant help.
Your general practice will, in most cases, be open as usual throughout the strike action, but is likely to be very busy. Please help the doctors, nurses and other staff by remaining calm and courteous even when they are not able to respond to you immediately. In October 2023 our practices offered over 42,000 more appointments than in October 2022.
Out of hours, if you think you may need to speak to a doctor or nurse, please visit 111 Online and provide details of your symptoms. They will direct you to the most appropriate place, either straight away or during normal opening hours, and will arrange for someone to call you to get more details if necessary.
Please don’t go to A&E unless it’s a genuine emergency which threatens life or limb. The accident and emergency department will be even busier than usual at the current time. By attending only in an emergency, you can help us to ensure that care goes to those who most need it.
If you need immediate care for an illness or injury which is a threat to life or limb then please call 999 as usual.
Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and serious, life-threatening cases.
If you have a hospital or other appointment, we will let you know if it has to be postponed to a later date; we will usually offer you an alternative date in this case. Please attend as planned unless you are advised otherwise via text, phone call, letter or email.
For press enquiries, please email blmkicb.communications@nhs.net
22 August 2025
Local residents invited to have their say on community and mental health…
People living in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will get the chance to shape the future of community and mental health services in the area,…
19 August 2025
Local NHS waiting lists fall again, despite small national increase
NHS waiting lists in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have fallen again, according to new figures issued by NHS England. Despite a small rise of…
14 August 2025
School and college leavers invited to check out NHS and care careers,…
With tens of thousands of young people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes set to receive their A Level, T Level, NVQ and GCSE results today and next week, school…
14 August 2025
Mums-to-be in the East of England can skip the GP to get…
Newly pregnant women across the East of England can now self-refer online to get their “all-important” first midwife appointments quicker, ensuring the best and most personalised care for their baby.…
11 August 2025
Learning disabilities care provider uses digital records to improve care
A local care organisation that provides care to people with a learning disability has been reaping the benefits of using digital care records. Winray Care Housing in Luton provides care…
5 August 2025
Chairs which can lift people who fall in their own homes reduce…
A chair which helps lift people safely and quickly in an emergency after a fall has been proven to reduce avoidable ambulance call-outs and associated healthcare costs, improve care, and…