People across the Bath area are being warned about a period of disruption in the NHS as junior doctors and consultants take part in strike action at the same time.
Photo courtesy of the RUH
Consultants will be striking from 7am on Tuesday 19th until 7am on Thursday 21st September, while junior doctors will begin a period of industrial action from 7am on Wednesday 20th until 7am on Saturday 23rd September.
The simultaneous period of industrial action will see services disrupted throughout the week, but particularly on Wednesday 20th September when both junior doctors and consultants will be striking.
During this time, hospitals will be providing a level of service similar to Christmas Day, which means routine appointments and operations are likely to be postponed and waiting times for urgent care will be longer than usual.
Local health service leaders are asking the public to support them during this period by collecting prescriptions early, attending appointments unless told otherwise and only using emergency care services in genuine, life-threatening situations to help limit disruption and ensure those most in need are prioritised for care.
Gill May, Chief Nurse at Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Services across BSW, particularly in our hospitals, are likely to be severely impacted by this forthcoming period of industrial action, especially on Wednesday 20th September when both junior doctors and consultants will be on strike.
“We are working closely with our health and care partners to ensure those in greatest need continue to have access to high-quality care and support.
“However, we cannot emphasise enough how important it will be to keep all of our emergency departments clear for life-threatening conditions and serious injuries.
“The public can also help us by thinking carefully about their healthcare options and getting advice when needed from NHS 111, the NHS website or their local community pharmacy.
“We would like to pass on our sincere thanks to the public for their ongoing support during this sustained programme of industrial action.”
A statement on the RUH website said: “The industrial action is a national dispute between the Government and unions.
“Patient safety is our top priority, and we are committed to keeping disruption caused by industrial action to a minimum.
“Consultants are senior doctors who not only see patients but are responsible for supervising junior doctors and other staff. This means a significant amount of planned care involving junior doctors will also be affected.
“Junior doctors are qualified doctors in clinical training. They have completed a medical degree and foundation training, and have anywhere up to eight years’ experience working as a hospital doctor, depending on their specialty.”
