Hospitals across West Yorkshire and Harrogate are likely to be significantly impacted by the upcoming strike action planned from 7am on Thursday 27 June until 7am on Tuesday 2 July 2024.

The West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), which is the official name of the six hospital trusts working together in West Yorkshire and Harrogate, will ensure that resources are prioritised to protect emergency treatment, cancer care, critical care, maternity and neonatal care, trauma, and patients who have waited the longest for elective surgery.

During this period of industrial action, WYAAT’s priority is to keep patients safe and ensure staff are able to work safely.

Dr Sal Uka, Medical Lead for WYAAT, said: “During this period of industrial action, we ask our patients to please choose NHS services wisely and take simple steps to help ensure care and resources are available to the patients who need them most.

“We advise patients to use NHS 111 online as their first port of call for health needs and ask that they only use 999 for a medical or mental health emergency [when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk].”

More information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available on the NHS UK website.  Parents and carers of young children can also find health advice on the West Yorkshire Healthier Together website.

The NHS is also asking the public to play their part by taking simple steps during this period, to look after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.

Please be assured that the NHS will only cancel appointments and procedures where it is necessary and will reschedule immediately, where possible. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.