Humberside hospitals prepare for BMA strikes
Advice has been given to people in the region
Resident doctors will begin their latest round of strikes this month as their long-running pay dispute with the Government continues. Members of the BMA (British Medical Association) will take part in their 15th walkout after Easter.
The latest strike will last six days, from 7am on Tuesday, April 7 until 7am on Monday, April 13. The NHS Humber Health Partnership, whose remit includes Castle Hill Hospital, Hull Royal Infirmary, Goole and District Hospital, Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, and Scunthorpe General Hospital says its staff have well rehearsed plans which are being put in place to prepare for the strike.
The NHS partnership has warned that some patients will have their appointments and procedures postponed as a result of the strike, and that affected patients will be contacted. They say that anyone with an appointment or procedure scheduled to take place during the strike period should attend the hospital as planned if they are not contacted.
Sam Peate, Group Chief Delivery Officer for NHS Humber Health Partnership, said: “As ever patient safety is our top priority during strike action and we are putting contingency plans in place to ensure disruption to patients is as minimal as possible.
“Whilst we are doing everything we can to maintain as much activity as possible, some cancellations are unavoidable to allow us to prioritise urgent and emergency care and cancer patients. This is regrettable, but necessary to allow us to focus on the most seriously ill/injured of our patients.
“We fully appreciate that for some patients, this will not be the first time they’ll be having their appointment postponed and we appreciate how frustrating this is. I’d like to apologise to anyone affected, please be assured we are working to get you rebooked as soon as possible.”
“Six days of industrial action will place considerable pressure on services which are already stretched. As with previous strikes we’d really appreciate the support of our local communities.
“GP surgeries and pharmacies will remain open during the strike and NHS 111 staff are on hand to offer advice if you’re unwell and unsure where to turn. If you do need to come into one of our emergency departments please be mindful that we have fewer doctors on shift so you may experience a longer than usual wait. Please also respect those staff members who are in work who are doing their best to see and treat people as quickly as possible.”
The NHS has said that patients can also help themselves and others by:
- Ordering repeat prescriptions in plenty of time so they don’t run out of medication or other essential items
- Avoiding hospital if suffering Norovirus-type symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, or with cold or flu-like symptoms
- Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home including painkillers, indigestion remedies and diarrhoea tablets
- Using the NHS Emergency Prescription Service if a regular medication runs out completely; and
- Familiarising themselves with nearby NHS services which can offer help both in and out-of-hours; these include all Walk-In and Urgent Treatment Centres and a number of local pharmacies. NHS111 remains available 24hrs/day, 365 day a year for medical advice and signposting, online or over the phone.
Full details of alternative local healthcare services can be found at www.letsgetbetter.co.uk.