Significant disruptions to NHS services in the South East are expected this week as consultants and junior doctors will jointly stage industrial action for a period of 72 hours.
The British Medical Association and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association have announced that consultants and junior doctors are now on strike until 07:00 on Thursday 5th October having started at 07:00 on Monday (2nd October).
During this period, both junior doctors and consultants will deliver ‘Christmas Day’ levels of staffing only, meaning that, while emergency care will be provided for those in need, routine hospital services will be severely affected.
These latest rounds of strikes come only days after a set of strike action at the end of September, which saw consultants and junior doctors striking together for the 1st time.
NHS South East Medical Director, Vaughan Lewis, said:
“Thank you for your continued patience during the ongoing industrial action. Please continue to follow to our advice about using NHS services during the strikes to make sure care is available for those most in need.
“Please use NHS 111 online, contact your GP surgery or visit your pharmacist as a 1st instance for medical support unless it is a life-threatening situation, when you should call 999 as usual.”
The last period of joint action resulted in nearly 10,000 staff striking across NHS organisations across the South East from Tuesday 19th September to Saturday 23rd September. During the same period, there were also more than 15,000 patient appointments rescheduled.
In line with the strike action taking place over the coming days, people are being encouraged to use NHS services responsibly to help the NHS during what will be a challenging time.
If you or a loved one needs medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether to go to hospital, then please use NHS 111 online. GP services and pharmacies will also be available for patients and can be accessed in the normal way during the strike action. The NHS will prioritise emergency care and people should continue to use 999 in life threatening emergencies.
Planned and routine non-urgent care is expected to be disrupted during the strikes. If you have a pre-booked NHS appointment, then please attend as planned unless you have been contacted to say that the appointment has been rearranged.
Absolutely behind them. Scrap university fees for anyone going into the NHS, but make them sign a 5 or 10 year contract stating that they work exclusively for the NHS….