UPDATED: Plans have now been confirmed to ensure minimal impact on patient care, in the event that industrial action by junior doctors goes ahead this week.
The first day of action is planned for tomorrow (Tuesday 1st December) where junior doctors will only provide emergency care. Two further days of action are planned for 8th and 16th December.
UPDATE TUESDAY: All three planned strikes have been called off following a breakthrough in talks with the government.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has put in place robust contingency plans, despite ongoing conciliatory talks between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Department of Health aimed at preventing strike action.
A very small number of patients will have had appointments rescheduled because of the planned action and this still applies, despite the action being called off.
The Trust had not been in a position where any elective (planned) operations were going to be disrupted.
It is important that patients continue to attend their appointments as usual, unless they have been told otherwise by a member of staff.
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The Trust would like to reassure residents that emergency care will not be affected by the industrial action, and there will be minimal impact across all other aspects of ther service. Owing to the support of staff, they have been able to ensure that no planned (elective) operations have had to be rescheduled. All clinics will also still run as normal, although some will have a reduced number of patients. This is to ensure that there is enough flexibility in the system so that staff can cover any emergency cases.
All other patients should attend their appointments as scheduled, unless they have been informed otherwise by a member of Trust staff.
Dr Mark Pugh, the Trust’s Executive Medical Director, said:
“We have tried and tested plans in place to deal with a range of disruptions, including industrial action. Our highest priority is to ensure the safety of our patients, regardless of industrial action, and robust plans are now in place to enable services to run as smoothly as possible.
“We will continue to regularly monitor the situation and liaise with our junior doctors”.
Despite being well prepared for the forthcoming industrial action, Island residents can also help to reduce the pressure on the NHS by following this advice:
• People should protect themselves by planning ahead and finding out in advance what to do if they need medical help, particularly those in vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children and people with long-term conditions
• Patients on regular medication should ensure that they have sufficient supplies and collect medicines in good time.
• If you need medical help or advice, choose the right service for your needs – NHS 111 and NHS Choices website provide information on the range of healthcare services available.
• Call NHS 111 if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation
• Your local pharmacist can give you advice on many common minor illnesses.
• Make an appointment with your GP if you are feeling unwell and it is not an emergency
• Only call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk
