Chief Executive Ann James' message to the public during Industrial Action

We are currently in the middle of a junior doctors’ strike which lasts for six days until the morning of Tuesday 9 January. January is also one of the busiest times of the year for hospitals, post Christmas and the festive period.
We are extremely busy, especially in our Emergency Department and need to ask for your help and support.
Emergency care:
Due to the doctors’ strike we have to prioritise patients with serious emergency and life-threatening conditions.
If you have a very serious or life-threatening emergency, we are here for you but otherwise, if you need urgent care, we ask you please to call NHS 111 or use NHS 111 online.
Our Emergency Department is currently very full and if you do not have an emergency or life-threatening condition, you will be redirected to other healthcare services. These include NHS 111, our Urgent Treatment Centre at the Cumberland centre, our Minor Injury Units at Kingsbridge and Tavistock. You may also be advised to use local pharmacies or to contact your GP. Please do use treat our staff with respect, follow their advice and use these alternative services.
Staying with your loved ones
Our Emergency Department is very busy and to ensure we have room for patients, we ask relatives if you are not a carer and your loved one can be left, please go and get a coffee or return home rather than try to wait in the department with your relative. We have to preserve our seats for patients.
Please #HelpUstoHelpYou during this difficult period by using 111 and alternative services, such as your pharmacy, GP and an Urgent Treatment Centre if you do not have not a life-threatening emergency.
Thank you