Health services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be affected this week as resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, take part in strike action organised by the British Medical Association (BMA).
The industrial action is due to take place from 07:00 on Friday (14th November) to 07:00 next Wednesday (19th November), as part of an ongoing national dispute between the BMA and the Government over pay.
Resident doctors who are members of the BMA and employed by the following organisations are expected to participate:
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Isle of Wight NHS Trust
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Health and care partners across the region are working together to minimise disruption and are urging residents to use NHS services appropriately so that those most in need can be cared for as swiftly as possible.
Dr Lara Alloway, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, has said:
“We are working closely with our partners across the local NHS to plan, prepare and mitigate the potential impact on patients, communities and staff. Patient care remains our top priority, and we are doing everything we can to ensure services continue to run as smoothly as possible.
“If you have an appointment during the industrial action, please attend as planned unless you are contacted to reschedule. No one should delay seeking care or treatment during this period.
“There are a number of services including pharmacies, urgent treatment centres (UTCs), Healthier Together and 111 online. By using one of these alternative services to emergency departments, it allows our teams to attend to those patients who urgently need care and attention.”
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If you need medical help and are unsure where to go, visit 111.nhs.uk or call NHS 111. Always call 999 or go to an Emergency Department in a life-threatening emergency.
Not again , ridiculous
First time round I could understand doctors striking,
now it’s greed.