Strike action by members of the British Medical Association (BMA) will affect services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight later this week.
Resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) who are members of the BMA are due to take part in strike action from 7am on Friday 26 July to 7am on Wednesday 30 July, in an ongoing dispute between unions and the Government over pay.
BMA members employed as resident doctors in the following local organisations are expected to participate in the planned strike action:
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Isle of Wight NHS Trust
Partners across the health and care system in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight continue to work together and are urging local residents to use health services appropriately to ensure they receive the right care for their needs in as timely a way as possible. Patient safety remains the absolute priority.
Dr Lara Alloway, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board said: “We are working closely with our partners across the county to plan, prepare and mitigate the potential impact on patients, communities and staff to ensure that services continue to run as smoothly as possible.
“Patient care remains our top priority, and we are working hard to ensure that we continue to deliver the best level of care possible. If you have an appointment during the industrial action you should continue to attend as planned unless you are contacted to reschedule.
“No one should put off seeking care or treatment during the industrial action and details of all available services including Pharmacy First and urgent treatment centres are on the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight website. While we are urging local people to choose the right service for their needs, you should always call 999 or attend our emergency departments if it is an emergency situation.”
Patients will continue to be prioritised according to clinical need, and any patients who have an appointment during the industrial action should continue to attend as planned unless they are contacted to reschedule.
Please help keep Emergency Departments free for those who need them most. If you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do, visit 111 online at 111.nhs.uk but always call 999 in an emergency.