Upcoming strike action | News

Upcoming strike action

GIF reads: Strike action is taking place across our hospitals. During the period of industrial action, we ask you to consult your pharmacist, GP or NHS111 for non-urgent healthcare conditions, and call 999 if your health need is life threatening. Patient safety is our number one priority, so we will be adjusting our services and the way we staff them to ensure our quality of care is not compromised. Includes translations in Bengali, Romanian, Russian, Turkish and Somali.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced junior doctors will strike between 7am on Saturday 24 February to 11.59pm on Wednesday 28 February

During the period of industrial action, we ask you to consult your pharmacist, GP or NHS111 for non-urgent healthcare conditions, and call 999 if your health need is life threatening.  

Patient safety is our number one priority, so we will be adjusting our services and the way we staff them to ensure our quality of care is not compromised. 

We will continue to provide urgent and emergency care and maternity care to people who need it. However, those in less urgent need of care may experience longer waiting times than normal. 

Prioritising patients most in need

Some appointments, including surgeries, may need to be postponed or rearranged. Priority will be given to those patients with the most pressing health needs. 

If there are changes to an appointment that you have arranged at our hospitals during the strike period, we will contact you. If you do not hear from us, please attend your appointment as normal. 

If you are pregnant and concerned about the health of yourself or your baby, please, call the helpline number listed in your notes or attend your maternity unit.

We are also working closely with partners across north east London to secure enhanced community support so patients dont have to stay in hospital unnecessarily.

What is a junior doctor?

Junior doctors make up half of the medical workforce at our trust and include doctors ranging from those who have recently finished medical school, up to doctors with 10 years' experience.

Junior doctors help our hospitals run smoothly by leading on essential parts of your care. Their roles range from ordering tests or x-rays and referring patients to other medical teams, to discharging patients from hospital and reviewing sick or deteriorating patients, but there's a lot more to the job than that.

Here’s how you can help

There are a number of ways you can help us care for people who need it most. 

  • If you’re caring for vulnerable people, such as the elderly, children and people with long-term conditions, get in touch with your GP if you have concerns about accessing medical care
  • Remember there are other healthcare options available instead of calling 999. You can visit your pharmacist or GP, call or visit NHS 111.

In the event that industrial action is called off, we will make every effort to reinstate any appointments that have been cancelled as soon as possible.

On behalf of staff and patients, we want the industrial disputes resolved as soon as possible but pay in the NHS is a matter for the Government and trade unions.

Read more

Have a question about the strikes and how it might affect you? Read our FAQs

Comments

  1. James says:

    Very well planned. It's time to shout for our ignored rights!

    Added on 12 Mar 2023 at 07:33 PM

  2. Ibrahim Eisa says:

    Fully support their initiative.

    Added on 2 Apr 2023 at 10:53 AM

  3. Rob says:

    Why are consultants striking?

    Added on 1 Oct 2023 at 06:00 AM

  4. Stephen Bristow says:

    I have a dermatologist appointment on Wednesday, during the strike. Should I rearrange?

    Added on 2 Oct 2023 at 08:36 AM

  5. Maheswaran says:

    Thanks very much for your reminder for the 19th.In the meantime I had attended the clinic today (16th) on a telephone notice. Should I still attend the clinic on the 19th?Please advise.
    Maheswaran

    Added on 16 Dec 2023 at 07:59 PM

  6. Sean England says:

    I had an appointment today with a senior doctor. Why was my appointment cancelled?

    Added on 3 Jan 2024 at 09:44 AM

  7. Barts Health Team says:

    Hello, if there are changes to an appointment that you have arranged at our hospitals during the strike period, we will contact you. If you do not hear from us, please attend your appointment as normal.

    Added on 13 Feb 2024 at 08:40 AM

  8. Forid Ali says:

    I have an urgent Orchiectomy which was meant to happen this coming week, I’m still waiting on my pre-op so should I contact urology to see if it will happen this week?

    Added on 24 Feb 2024 at 02:58 PM

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