NHS Devon has issued a 'critical incident' alert as junior doctors begin a five-day strike. The latest walk-out began today, February 24, at 7am and will continue until Wednesday, February 28, at 11.59pm.

People are being warned the county’s main hospitals in Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay and Barnstaple are likely to be under severe pressure over the next week. It has prompted NHS Devon to declare critical incident status for health in Devon as a precautionary action, initially to take the necessary steps in response to the Second World War German bomb that was discovered in the Keyham area of Plymouth and was successfully detonated at sea last night, February 23.

The alert is also in place due to managing ongoing operational pressures in Devon's hospitals, described as 'busy'. To help the hospitals cope, people are being urged to choose the right service for their needs.

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Dr Nigel Acheson, chief medical officer for NHS Devon, said: “It is critical that those needing emergency or life-saving care contact 999 or attend ED but we ask everyone else to choose the best service for their medical need. If your condition isn’t life-threatening, consider 111, your GP or local pharmacy first.

"We are counting on the understanding of local people at this difficult time and we encourage everyone to follow the advice we are giving."

Junior doctors are striking due to an ongoing pay row with the government. It is the 10th stoppage by junior doctors since last March and follows the longest strike in NHS history in January, which lasted six full days.

Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chairs of the BMA junior doctors committee, said: "The government could have stopped these strikes by simply making a credible pay offer for junior doctors in England to begin reversing the pay cuts they have inflicted upon us for more than a decade.

"The same government could have even accepted our offer to delay this round of strike action to give more space for talks - all we asked for in return was a short extension of our mandate to strike.

"The fact that ministers have chosen strike action over what could have been the end of this year's pay dispute is disappointing to say the least."

The advice from NHS Devon:

  • Continue to call 999 in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk
  • Go to NHS 111 online if you need medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital; you can also phone 111
  • Please check local hospital trust websites for information on Minor Injury Units and Urgent Treatment Centres. Further information can be found here: Health Pressures - One Devon
  • Play your part by taking simple steps to look after yourselves and loved ones, checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours. A first step is making sure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked
  • Please pick up loved ones who are ready to be discharged from hospital
  • Make use of community pharmacies, which can advise on minor illnesses and provide medications. Details about local pharmacies can be found via the interactive map here: Find a pharmacy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
  • If you, or someone you know, experiences a mental health crisis you can access support from a number of places:

o 24/7 urgent mental health helpline 0808 196 8708

o Mental Health Matters helpline (24/7) 0800 470 0317

o Mental Health Crisis Line Plymouth is open 24/7 0800 923 9323

o Samaritans 1116 123

o Text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 text support