How to access care during ambulance service strike action
On 11 January, there will be fewer ambulances on the road and fewer staff in ambulance control rooms triaging 999 calls, due to strike action.
The London Ambulance Service is advising patients only to call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency. This includes unconsciousness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, a server loss of blood or when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Patients whose conditions are not life-threatening are unlikely to get an ambulance during the strike.
If you need medical help fast, please use 111 online to get assessed and directed to the care you need. If required, you may need to arrange alternative transport to hospital.
For more information on the industrial action, please visit the London Ambulance Service website.
Help us care for you
If you feel unwell, it's important that you continue to come forward for NHS care. There are plenty of local services available to help you if you need medical advice, but it is not an emergency.
For more information on all of the care available in Croydon, including 24/7 mental health support, please see our 'know where to go' leaflet or scan this code. We've also included some helpful details below. Thank you.
Pharmacy
Your local pharmacy is a first port-of-call for minor health concerns. Pharmacists are experts in medicines and can help with lots of illnesses, from skin rashes to earaches and flu. Many pharmacies open late and offer private consultations, no appointment needed.
Your GP
Call your GP practice or visit their website to make an appointment for an illness or injury that won’t go away, or access your GP’s out of hours service.
GP hubs (bookable appointments 8am-8pm, every day)
There are three ‘GP Hubs’ in Croydon which treat both minor injuries and minor illnesses requiring same day care – for both children and adults. They are located in Central Croydon, Purley and Parkway (New Addington).
To book an appointment, people should call NHS 111 first to discuss their symptoms. You will be offered a telephone consultation with a GP or practice nurse who can also book you to attend for a face to face appointment where appropriate.
NHS 111
Call NHS 111 free for urgent medical advice, or access the service online at 111.nhs.uk. If NHS 111 advise that you attend the Emergency Department, ask them if they can book you an appointment.
Mental health support (24/7)
If you live in Croydon and you need mental health support in a crisis you can call our 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 731 2864 (option 1).
The Mental Health Crisis Line offers emotional support and advice to people who are affected by urgent mental health issues, at any time of the day or night. It is open to children and adults of all ages, and to people who haven’t previously accessed mental health services.
If you are in a mental health crisis or need urgent support you can also search ‘Mind’, ‘Samaritans’ or ‘Good thinking urgent support’
Contact your current healthcare team
If you are already receiving care or treatment from a particular healthcare team, contact them first to see if they can help.
Maternity care: Advice if you are due to give birth during ambulance industrial action
Please be aware of the planned industrial action by staff working for the London Ambulance Service on 21 December. If you are pregnant, an ambulance may not be able to attend to you at home in labour. Please make sure you have plans to get to hospital by taxi or car on that day if you needed to.
If you have any worries, or think you’re in labour, please contact our midwifery team on 0208 401 3853 us for advice as early as possible.
Healthier Together children’s health website
Created by experts, Healthier Together is a new website in south west London which provides pregnant people, parents and carers with trusted information on common childhood illnesses. Search ‘South West London healthier together’
Wellness space at the Whitgift Centre
The Croydon Health and Wellbeing space has been created to offer free mental health support and social care help for people living in Croydon.
Whether it’s financial worries, loneliness, questions about housing or bills, or just a simple need to talk with someone – there is team there to help, including specialist mental health staff.
You can find the service on the 1st floor of the Whitgift Centre, next to Holland and Barrett. Simply walk in to make an appointment or book by calling 020 8680 3635
Simply Connect Croydon
If you need to access community support, visit croydon.simplyconnect.uk
You find local community services, activities and support including a map of warm spaces and community hubs close to home.
Simply Connect Croydon is dedicated to helping Croydon residents navigate local services, managed and delivered by Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) and Volunteer Centre Croydon.