Doctors at Bedford and Luton hospitals set to go on strike this week.
Resident doctors will go on strike for five days, beginning at 7 a.m. on Friday, November 14 and ending at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19.
While it will have a substantial impact on services at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless they are rescheduled.
A spokesman for the trust stated, “Our staff is working hard to ensure we can continue to provide both emergency care for the most seriously ill and injured patients, as well as maternity services and ward care for our patients.”
“Regardless of any strike action, it is critical that people who require urgent medical attention continue to come forward as usual, especially in emergency and life-threatening situations – when someone is extremely ill or injured, or their life is in danger.
Everyone who has a hospital appointment between November 14 and 19 should go as planned, unless we have called you to reschedule. We will prioritise rescheduling any postponed appointments.
Patients are encouraged to utilise NHS services responsibly and to take modest actions to guarantee that care is available to those who require it the most.
This includes contacting 111 online as the initial point of contact for health concerns and only visiting A&E in a life-threatening emergency.
According to Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, if an appointment is cancelled, patients will be contacted and informed of rescheduled appointments.
Anyone in need of immediate treatment should dial NHS111 online to be assessed and routed to the appropriate care. Those who do not have internet access should phone the 111 helpline or see their local GP or pharmacist. Patients should only contact 999 if critically ill or injured, and there is risk to life.
Ambulances will be deployed where clinically indicated. The British Medical Association (BMA) declared a strike after talks with the government fell down, marking the 13th round of industrial action since the conflict began in March 2023.
The BMA claims that, notwithstanding recent pay increases, resident (junior) doctors’ remuneration is still approximately 20% lower in real terms than in 2008.
Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.