‘Significant disruption’ warning ahead of doctor strikes in West Midlands
Last month, the British Medical Association (BMA) announced resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, would go on strike in an ongoing dispute over pay.
NHS bosses in Birmingham have warned patients of ‘significant disruption’ when resident doctors go on strike again next week.
University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Trust said teams are working to minimise the impact of the industrial action, which will take place from 7am on Monday, June 15 to 6.59am on Friday, June 19.
Last month, the British Medical Association (BMA) announced resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, would go on strike in an ongoing dispute over pay.
Industrial action was taken three times last year in July, October and December and once in April this year.
UHB said patients with any planned appointments will be told if these are not going ahead while anyone needing emergency care is urged to seek help through the usual channels.
They said: “The strikes announced cover resident doctors across the NHS. This means action will impact every hospital in England.
“We are working hard to minimise the impact this action has on patients, but this will inevitably cause disruption during the strike period, and is likely to have a longer term impact on our services due to the additional resources required to keep services going safely.
“During these strikes, all other NHS staff (including consultants, GPs and other specialist doctors) will still be working.
“The NHS is working hard to minimise the impact on patients and make sure there are safe levels of staffing in key services patients need.
“However, we know from previous strikes that there will be significant disruption, and we will make sure patients and the local community know how this might affect them.
“Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or through the NHS App to be assessed and directed to the right care for them.
“If you do not have internet access, then the free, 24/7 111 phone line is also available.
“When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999.
“We are working hard to minimise the impact on planned care. Patients with appointments booked on strike days will be contacted if their appointment needs to be rescheduled due to industrial action.
“If they have not been contacted, they should attend their appointment as planned.
“It’s important that patients do not put off seeking urgent care, or not attend planned appointments unless they have been told otherwise.”
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