Health experts urge frail and vulnerable to take measures to reduce numbers needing NHS during six-day walkout
Elderly people are being urged to keep warm to reduce the risk of needing the NHS during six days of junior doctors’ strikes.
Medics are set to stage the longest walkout in NHS history in their bitter row with the Government over pay.
The six-day strike, from 7am on Wednesday to 7am on Tuesday Jan 9, comes in the week that is normally the most difficult for the NHS as pressures mount after Christmas.
Health experts urged people who are frail and vulnerable to take particular care in order to help reduce the numbers needing NHS care.
Prof Yvonne Doyle, a former medical director at Public Health England, told Times Radio: “The NHS is resourceful and it is making arrangements to try and cover as much as possible and putting messages out to the population about what we can do as well to help at this time.
“This is the period of the year when the NHS is always at its most stretched. There is quite a lot of infection at the moment – more flu, quite a lot of Covid, there is a good deal of norovirus.
“There are things that everyone can do to actually help with that, and also look after themselves. Top of the list for those who are eligible is to get vaccinated – but also, if you have got infection, keep away from people. Try and limit your contact with people.
“And the other factor at this time of the year is cold weather – so older people, and people who are vulnerable to stroke, [should try] to keep warm.”
Age UK expressed concern about the risks to elderly people, with fears that too many will put off seeking help they need.
Paul Farmer, the charity’s chief executive, said: “We are deeply concerned about the risk this poses to older people’s health as, with the very best will in the world and efforts of staff, it will be difficult to guarantee safe and effective care for everyone who needs it.
“At Age UK, we are also very concerned that older people who may be feeling unwell are put off seeking the care they need due to the strikes. We have increasingly heard from older people, already struggling to access the help they need and now worried what ongoing strikes mean for themselves and their families on top.”
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