Health leaders are warning of disruption across NHS services on the Isle of Wight and beyond as junior (resident) doctors begin 5 days of industrial action starting today (Wednesday).
The strike action will run from today (Wednesday 17th December) to Monday (22nd December) and is expected to cause significant pressure on hospitals and urgent care teams.
Patients are advised to still call 999 or attend the Emergency Department in life-threatening emergencies. For non-urgent health concerns, residents are urged to use alternatives such as pharmacies, NHS 111 Online, or Urgent Treatment Centres.
Dr Lara Alloway, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, has said:
“This is a particularly challenging period for our local NHS, with industrial action, followed by planned major road closures. We are working closely with our partners across the county to plan, prepare and mitigate the potential impact on patients, communities and staff to ensure our services continue to run as smoothly as possible.
“Patient care remains our priority, and we are working hard to ensure that we continue to deliver the best level of care possible. If you have an appointment during the industrial action you should continue to attend as planned unless you are contacted to reschedule.
“Please help us to help you by choosing the right service for your healthcare needs and making use of Pharmacy First for minor conditions. This will help us protect emergency care for those who need it most.”
Urgent Treatment Centres across the region, including on the Isle of Wight, remain open for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
Time to sack the doctors and bring in doctors
from overseas.
Job done.
Well done NHS. as of Sunday evening, 21 Dec the A&E waiting time is showing an astonishing 34 hour wait. The ‘Urgent Care” centre which St Mary’s applaud is referral from 111 only. A family member has a very badly infected tooth abscess which triggers the urgent care process and despite phoning 111 first thing Sunday they waited 8 hours for a call back and told to try a private dentist in the morning as there was no emergency dentists on the Island and “urgent care” had no available appointments.