"We are doing everything we can" - NHS Hampshire & Isle of Wight warn of disruption with resident doctors to begin strike this week
Resident doctors are set to begin strike action this week over a pay dispute with services expected to be disrupted throughout the region.
The strikes, organised by the British Medical Association (BMA), will begin at 7am on Friday, November 14 and will last five days ending at 7am on Wednesday, November 19. All of the NHS Trusts in Hampshire will be affected including Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust which runs Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight are calling for resident to use services appropriately to enable staff to prioritise those most in need during the disruption.
Dr Lara Alloway, chief medical officer for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: “We are working closely with our partners across the local NHS to plan, prepare and mitigate the potential impact on patients, communities and staff. Patient care remains our top priority, and we are doing everything we can to ensure services continue to run as smoothly as possible.
“If you have an appointment during the industrial action, please attend as planned unless you are contacted to reschedule. No one should delay seeking care or treatment during this period.
“There are a number of services including pharmacies, urgent treatment centres (UTCs), Healthier Together and 111 online. By using one of these alternative services to emergency departments, it allows our teams to attend to those patients who urgently need care and attention.”
The strike action is part of the ongoing national dispute between the BMA and the Government over pay.
Further information and advice on the best ways to access services fit for your needs can be found at https://www.hantsiow.icb.nhs.uk/your-services.