Industrial action – Tuesday 20 December

We are working with our local union members and our teams and services to minimise the impact of the planned industrial action on our patients and service users and keep patients safe.

Plans are in place to ensure our most vulnerable patients – including those requiring urgent and emergency surgery, or urgent planned surgery for cancer or other life-threatening conditions, and cancer patients on two-week wait pathways – continue to be cared for. Services which provide urgent or critical care will also be maintained. Where services have to be reduced, we will do everything we can to keep this to a minimum. 

Patients with an appointment on either of the planned strike days are asked to attend as normal unless you hear from us directly. Where appointments are affected, we will try to rearrange them as soon as we can. Nobody should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes.

Members of the public can help us reduce delays by only using the Emergency Department for the most serious illness and injuries, and to use the NHS 111 online service to get advice. Where people do need urgent care, they are encouraged to choose wisely from all the services which are available, including their local pharmacy, GPs, and Minor Injuries Units. Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) can treat a variety of injuries including; wounds, sprains, strains and minor burns with much shorter waiting times.