MILLIONS of Brits could suffer disruption to healthcare because of next week’s “unprecedented” NHS doctor strikes and the Easter bank holiday, health bosses warn.
More than half a million appointments and operations will have been cancelled since December when the four-day action finishes on Saturday.
AFPMillions of Brits could suffer disruption to healthcare because of next week’s “unprecedented” NHS doctor strikes and the Easter bank holiday, health bosses warn[/caption]
“Conservative” estimates suggest 250,000 procedures will be cancelled this month alone, on top of the 300,000 halted since walkouts began at the end of last year.
Many more are expected to face long waits and disruption to emergency care, with the British Medical Association (BMA) telling members not to inform hospitals if they’re striking.
Sir Julian Hartley, NHS Providers chief executive, said: “It’s clear from our extensive dialogue with trust leaders that we are in uncharted territory.
“Yet again we are seeing colleagues pull out all the stops to minimise disruption and ensure patient safety.
“But the challenges here are unprecedented.”
He added: “It’s particularly important during the strike that in the event of an emergency the public continue to turn to the NHS. No effort will be spared to provide the care they need.
“But for less urgent cases, people should look first to 111 online if they can, to access appropriate treatment and advice.”
NHS resources will be focused on emergency treatment, critical care, maternity, neonatal care and trauma during the strikes.
But there are “real concerns of a raised risk to safety” even in those areas, NHS Providers said.
The walkout will come on the back of the Easter bank holiday weekend, when many staff are on annual leave.
And mental health and community trust leaders have also raised concerns about disruption to services.
One said: “Don’t forget mental health — our services always run very hot.
“Asking consultants to cover for doctors in training raises the risk through the acute mental health pathway since other essential work won’t get done.”
Patients needing emergency care are still being encourage to go to A&E if they are seriously ill, injured or their lives are at risk.
What is the latest advice during the NHS strikes?
The BMA and HCSA have announced junior doctors strikes running from 6.59am on Tuesday 11 April until 6.59am on Saturday 15 April.
This is four days of strikes coming immediately after a four-day bank holiday weekend.
The days leading into and immediately after bank holiday weekends are already challenging for the NHS.
During strike action we will prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, and trauma, and ensure we prioritise patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery. We will only cancel appointments and procedures where it is necessary and will reschedule immediately, where possible.
Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
GP practices will continue to be open during the junior doctors strike. Please continue to attend your GP and dental appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – such as when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
The NHS is asking patients to use services wisely during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
Patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency (when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk).
If you need medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital, go to NHS 111 online unless it is a life-threatening emergency when you should still call 999.
Patients should take advice from 111/999 call-handlers on whether there are circumstances where it is suitable for them to make their own way to hospital.
The NHS is also asking the public to play their part by taking simple steps during industrial action to look after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
Source: The NHS
Unless contacted by your doctor, you should also attend any planned appointments, whether at for surgery, with your GP or your dentist.
Patients should only ring 999 in an emergency, and use 111 as a first port of call for health needs.
Junior doctors — who make up half of all NHS doctors — are calling for a 35 per cent pay rise, with the basic salary for a foundation-year medic set at £29,384.
Previous negotiations with the Department of Health and Social Care failed, leading to the latest round of strikes.
Some 175,000 outpatient appointments and operations were rescheduled during the union’s last three-day action on March 13 to 15.
Sir Julian said: ““Even now it’s not too late for the two sides in this dispute, the government and the unions, to recognise the gravity of the situation and step back from the brink.
“We need a solution to prevent further strikes, and we need it now.”