'Major disruption' expected as hospital consultants across Merseyside strike
The senior workers are walking out as the pay row with the government continues
Routine hospital care is due to come to a standstill as consultants across Merseyside go on strike for the next 48 hours.
It's as the bitter row with the government over pay continues.
NHS leaders are expecting 'major disruption', give the most senior hospital doctors will be off work.
'Christmas Day' cover is in place, so emergency care will still be provided.
Concerns have been raised about the timing of the strike - just ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.
GP Sinead Clarke, the associate medical director for Cheshire and Merseyside NHS, said:
"It's always busy over the bank holiday and this time of year, there are still some people on holiday, so it's going to be a very challenging two days for the hospitals and for the NHS.
"We always have plans for Bank Holiday weekends to to make sure we we set up the number of staff we need, but yes, whenever there is any kind of industrial action, it's always a big challenge.
"This isn't the first consultant strike we've had, so we've been used to planning for these strikes now.
"We will be able to maintain safe emergency care for anybody that has a serious accident or an emergency, but we will likely to need to stop a lot of planned care over those two days."
The action gets underway at 7am on Thursday 24 August and ends at 7am on Saturday 26 August.
People are again being urged to use NHS 111 online for all non-emergency healthcare needs.
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Medical Director, Prof Rowan Pritchard-Jones, said:
"We are now in the ninth month of industrial action across the NHS, and staff continue to work tirelessly to provide patients with the best possible care under the circumstances.
"The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage the disruption caused by industrial action, but this week’s strikes by hospital consultants in the run up to the bank holiday weekend will inevitably lead to significant disruption for many patients.
"Consultants are senior doctors who not only see patients but are also responsible for supervising junior doctors and other staff. When consultants take strike action this week, they will stop delivering care directly or providing supervision of the work of our junior staff. Without supervision, it may not be possible for some care delivered by junior doctors, or other staff to take place safely.
"However, we want to reiterate that urgent and emergency care services will be open, and in the event of a life or limb-threatening emergency you should always call 999.
"If it’s not an emergency, please use NHS 111 Online to ensure you are signposted to the right service first time."
Anyone whose appointment is affected will be contacted by their hospital care provider.
The NHS is also asking people, ahead of the bank holiday, to plan ahead and order any repeat prescriptions for medication early.
Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, said:
"I am concerned and disappointed that the BMA has gone ahead with this industrial action which will continue to affect patients and hamper efforts to cut NHS waiting lists.
"I’m aware some consultants cut short their annual leave over the most recent periods of industrial action by the BMA Junior Doctors Committee and I am incredibly grateful to those staff who came forward to help protect patients and services.
"We have accepted the independent pay review body recommendations in full, giving consultants a 6% pay rise which means average NHS earnings for consultants of £134,000, on top of a pension where generous tax changes mean a consultant can retire at age 65 with a pension each year for life of £78,000 a year.
"This pay award is final and I urge the BMA to call an end to strikes."