Industrial action – what is happening?

The British Medical Association (BMA), the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) and the British Dental Association (BDA) have all announced strike action, with junior doctors, dental core trainees and specialty registrars taking industrial action to run continuously for 72 hours from 7:00am Monday 13 March, to 7:00am Thursday 16 March.

The three-day strikes will impact on both routine and emergency care, which we anticipate will significantly reduce the provision of our planned or elective services to allow remaining staff to focus on providing emergency and inpatient care.

Why is this 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. On the days of strike action, our system’s 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?

Clinicians within our system may have to postpone your scheduled appointment or procedure. Should it need to be postponed, then they will contact you directly. If they have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal. Please be patient with them whilst we work to recover our services – but 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. If your appointment needs to be rescheduled, your provider organisation will be in touch with you – there’s nothing you need to do.

Will emergency care be affected on strike days?

Accident and emergency department will be open throughout the strike period and emergency care will continue to be available. 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. As always, we encourage people to think about which is the most appropriate service for your needs, as there are a range of options to help you, such as your local pharmacy, the NHS 111 service or your GP

How is this affecting the system?

Our system continues to experience significant demand on our services, and we are seeing more patients than ever as an ICS. Industrial action and high levels of COVID-19 and flu in the community have made our work even more challenging. We appreciate the knock-on effect this has had on you, your families and communities. Participating in industrial action is of course a matter of personal choice among individual junior doctors.

The decision to go on strike is not an easy one to take from an individual or professional perspective, as it will cause significant safety risks to patients across the country as well as within our system. We all want to reduce any unnecessary risks to patients.  Please help us by using services wisely and appropriately, stay well and safe, look out for vulnerable people. 

Where can I get more information about the correct use of services?

Please visit www.sneewellbeing.org.uk for further information and advice.