Industrial action on 6 and 7 February 2023

The RCN has announced its members will strike on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 February 2023 at NHS employers across England as part of national industrial action over NHS pay and conditions.

This includes strike action at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust and West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.

What is happening?

Trade unions representing NHS staff are in dispute with the Government over pay and conditions with a number of unions balloting their NHS members to take part in industrial action. As a result, members of the RCN will be taking strike action at both trusts on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 February.

On both days, the key focus will be on providing safe care for patients who need urgent and emergency services, and those receiving inpatient care in our hospitals.

What if I have an appointment on a strike day?

Everyone who has an appointment on either Monday 6 or Tuesday 7 February should attend as planned unless we have contacted you to reschedule. If clinicians have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal.

If your appointment is cancelled due to the industrial action, they will contact you to rebook it as soon as possible. Please be patient with them whilst they work to recover services – they will be in touch with you.

If your appointment has been postponed and you were due to come into hospital using patient transport ambulance services, please let them know.

Will emergency care be affected on strike days?

Accident and emergency departments will be open on both days and emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country. It is really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or their life is at risk – patients continue to come forward as normal.

Will maternity services be affected on the days of the strikes?

No, maternity services will not be affected on either strike days and our maternity services will be running as normal.

Will GP services be affected on strike days?

GP services will be running as normal on strike days. Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments.

When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?

Clinicians will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a letter or phone call, and you will be offered an alternative date for your appointment. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.

Is there anything I should do now?

No. Clinicians will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.

Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes?

No, if you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned.

How long will services be impacted?

The industrial action will last from 7am to 8pm on Monday 6 February and 7am-8pm on Tuesday 7 February 2023.

Thank you for your patience and understanding over this period.