24/7 mental health text service set up in Birmingham

Mental health providers in Birmingham said they were “working together” to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients during fresh strike action.

Resident doctors will take industrial action from 7am on Monday, June 15 until 7am on Friday, June 19, as part of their ongoing national dispute with the Government over pay and conditions.

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said doctors who continue to work during the period may not be able to attend non-essential meetings while some clinics have been cancelled.

But they added alternative arrangements are in place and gaps will be covered during the days.

The trust said: “(The strike) will take place across the healthcare system, impacting work in the general acute hospitals, including A&E – which will affect liaison services and referrals into A&E.

“During this time, our consultants, SAS doctors and residential doctors who are not taking industrial action will remain in work.

“They will be covering many gaps during the working day and out of hours and are unlikely to be able to attend routine, non-essential meetings.

“Where necessary, we have cancelled clinics and ensured alternative arrangements are in place for those service users affected.

“Out of hours, we have arrangements in place to provide cover through a system of backup doctors.

“On call rotas will continue to operate, but if you are unsure who is providing cover, please contact Switchboard or the scheduled on-call consultant.

“We are incredibly grateful to all colleagues for supporting the right to take industrial action, while working together to ensure the ongoing safety and wellbeing of our patients and service users, both on our wards and in the community.”

People can contact the Trust via its switchboard on 0121 301 0000. People of all ages in England are able to access 24/7 local mental health crisis services directly by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option.

In Birmingham and Solihull, those already engaging with mental health services are asked to continue to contact their existing service. Contact telephone numbers will be in care plans and treatment plan letters.

People known to community mental health teams can contact them directly on the usual phone number or the out of hours number.