Residents in Kirkby are being urged to use online health services for urgent care as resident doctors prepare for a six-day walkout starting next week. The British Medical Association has confirmed the strike will run from 6.59am on Tuesday 7 April until 6.59am on Monday 13 April 2026, which is expected to disrupt GP appointments and non-emergency doctor services across the region.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, Executive Clinical Director at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, is encouraging people to use the NHS 111 online service or the NHS App for any non-emergency medical needs during this period. These digital tools are designed to assess symptoms and direct patients to the most appropriate local care, helping to manage demand on the health service.
For those requiring urgent treatment, the St Chad’s Walk-in Centre in Kirkby remains an option. Run by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, the centre is open from 8am to 8pm every day of the year. Residents can visit without an appointment or be directed there after contacting NHS 111.
Health officials have noted that this strike period coincides with the Grand National at Aintree, which runs from 9 April to 11 April. The combination of the race, the Easter Bank Holiday, and the industrial action is expected to place significant pressure on local health services.
A&E departments and 999 services will remain fully operational for life-threatening emergencies. Patients are asked to reserve these services for situations where a life is at risk or someone is seriously ill, rather than for less urgent matters.
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