Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH) is urging the local community to choose services wisely over the comings days to help ensure care is available for patients who need it most during a new round of industrial action.
Resident doctors who are members of The British Medical Association (BMA), are expected to take part in industrial action from 7am, Friday 25 July to 7am, Wednesday 30 July 2025.
While NHS services are likely to be exceptionally busy and disruption should be expected, it’s important that those who need urgent and emergency care should still come forward.
During previous strikes high numbers of patients have still attended East Surrey Hospital’s Emergency Department. It is therefore vital that people who need care choose services wisely over the next few days and consider if an urgent treatment centre or minor injury unit can help. This will help ensure care is available to patients who need it.
This includes using NHS 111, walk-in-centres, GP practices, pharmacies, Crawley Urgent Treatment Centre and the Minor Injury Units at Caterham Dene, Horsham and East Grinstead for non-life-threatening care, and only using 999 or East Surrey emergency department in a genuine emergency – such as if you are seriously ill or experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
Hospital staff will be working round the clock to ensure the safe care of all patients who need urgent and emergency treatment, as well as maintaining as much routine care as possible, and while disruption should be expected, the Trust are working hard to minimise this. People should therefore not put off seeking vital care on strike days.
Chief Medical Officer, Ed Cetti, said:
“While we will be working round the clock to minimise disruption and care for all those who need us throughout this latest period of industrial action - our services will be exceptionally busy over the next five days.
“It’s vital that those who do not have a life-threatening illness or injury, do not attend the Emergency Department and instead use other NHS services such as 111 online, your local pharmacy or GP, or nearby treatment centres at Crawley, Caterham Dene, Horsham and East Grinstead, which will be running as normal and will be able to see you much sooner. This will help ensure emergency care is available to patients who need it most.
“If you do need urgent or emergency care, such as for a heart attack or stroke, please come forward or call 999.”
The Trust has also advised patients with a scheduled appointments between 25 and 30 July to continue to attend unless they have informed you otherwise.