NHS trusts across West Midlands issue patient reassurance messages as doctors set to go on strike
Hospital leaders across the West Midlands have been putting out messages to patients to reassure them of contingency plans and keeping essential services running as five days of strike action begins.
Resident doctors from hospitals such as Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital, County Hospital in Stafford, New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton and Walsall Manor Hospital walked out on Wednesday morning after the British Medical Association said 83 per cent of its members had voted to continue with the walkout in an online poll over the weekend.
The walk out will run from 7am Wednesday to 7am on Monday, December 22 and comes after the union agreed to the snap poll last week after the Government came forward with a fresh deal which included increasing speciality training posts and covering out-of-pocket expenses like exam fees.
Hospital trusts across the region have been issuing messages to warn those requiring services of potential delays, but also that the hospital trusts would do whatever they could to ensure patient safety.
Dr Di Adamson, University Hospitals of North Midlands chief medical officer, said: "We understand that industrial action can be concerning for patients.
"Our priority remains patient safety, and we are working hard to ensure essential services continue to operate safely.
"We ask patients to seek care when it is urgent and to help us ensure our teams can focus on those who need life-saving treatment the most.
"I would encourage the public to look after themselves, loved ones and check in on vulnerable family members and neighbours during this period and thank you to patients and the public for their understanding and continued support during this period.”
Diane Wake, group chief executive at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust and The Dudley Group NHS Trust said: “We have well-established plans in place to ensure we continue to provide safe emergency care and prioritise urgent and essential services throughout the strike period.
“In a small number of cases, some planned appointments and clinics may be rescheduled. Where this is necessary, patients will be contacted directly and offered a new appointment as soon as possible.
“If patients have not been contacted, they should attend their appointment as planned.”
