Junior doctors' strike: Operations cancelled as 48-hour walkout begins
Hundreds of patients across the West Midlands will again be facing cancellations or postponements as junior doctors go on strike today.
The 48-hour walkout, which sees emergency cover only provided from 8am, follows up from last month's strike over weekend working and conditions.
The row between junior doctors and the government flared up in 2014 after the government insisted it was going to impose new contracts.
More than 5,000 operations and procedures across England have been cancelled ahead of the 48-hour strike by junior doctors.
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Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced he will impose the contract on junior doctors - everyone up to consultant level - after months of talks with the British Medical Association (BMA) failed to reach a resolution.
Paula Clark, chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, where 282 outpatient appointments have had to be rescheduled, said: "We anticipate most junior doctors will be taking industrial action on those dates and are working to minimise the impact on patients where possible.
"Our priority will be to ensure that safe emergency, urgent and inpatient services are maintained
"All patients affected will be contacted directly and offered an alternative appointment in the future.
"It is very important for patients who have not been contacted by hospital staff to attend their appointments as normal.
More than 5,000 operations and procedures across England have been cancelled ahead of the 48-hour strike by junior doctors.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced he will impose the contract on junior doctors - everyone up to consultant level - after months of talks with the British Medical Association (BMA) failed to reach a resolution.
Last month, junior doctors gathered in picket lines near to their workplace to protest despite an 11th hour plea from Prime Minister David Cameron claiming the 'damaging' strike causes 'real difficulties' for patients and 'potentially worse'.
Hospital bosses have had to put measures in place to cope with the walk-out again, with two further 48-hour strikes planned from 8am on April 8 and and April 26.
The University Hospital of North Midlands, which runs County Hospital, has cancelled 236 operations, with five day case procedures also cancelled.
Mr Robert Courteney-Harris, chief executive of the managing trust, said: "The trust has worked hard to ensure we have robust plans in place to protect the safety, welfare and service provided to patients, which remains our top priority throughout industrial action."
Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: "The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has postponed 2 inpatient elective procedures, 32 day case procedures and 370 outpatient appointments."
