Kingston Hospital issues advice to the public during junior doctor strike action
Medics have walked out in their ongoing row over pay
Bosses at Kingston Hospital say services will be significantly impacted by strike action by junior doctors.
Medics are walking out from 7am on Saturday (24 February) until the end of Wednesday (28 February).
To make sure patients are kept safe during the industrial action health chiefs have decided to postpone some appointments and procedures, to allow them to ensure care continues to be available for those with urgent and life-threatening healthcare needs.
They say they'll contact patients directly if their care is affected and will rearrange appointments as quickly as possible - the message is please continue to attend appointments as planned unless told otherwise.
The Emergency Department (A&E) will remain open during the strike action to treat people who need emergency or urgent care.
Dr William Oldfield, Chief Medical Officer for Kingston Hospital, said: “We would like to apologise to our patients for the disruption that we are expecting, and to thank them for their understanding. Our staff are continuing to work hard to minimise disruption to care and treatment during the days of industrial action, but this will be challenging.
“We are asking people to help us manage demand by considering different services for medical help or advice, such as their GP or local pharmacist. Waiting times in the Emergency Department will be longer than usual during the days of strike action and we will be prioritising patients based on the urgency of their clinical need. If we feel you could be seen elsewhere, we may redirect you. Our staff may also be more stretched than usual and so we are asking everyone to remain kind and compassionate.”
In addition, bosses at Kingston Hospital are asking patients to consider whether there are alternative options for advice and help - before attending the hospital.
Teddington Urgent Treatment Centre, which is open from 8am until 8pm (7 days a week) provides minor illness and injury services.
Local pharmacies may also be able to help and can provide advice on minor health concerns from skin rashes to earaches and flu. Many pharmacies stay open late, and no appointment is needed. You can also contact your GP surgery to make an appointment for an illness or injury that won’t go away or access your GP’s out of hours service.
NHS 111 should be the first port of call, if you need medical help or advice or are unsure about whether you should go to hospital – a trained adviser will provide advice and the best care pathway.
You should always call 999 if it’s a life-threatening emergency – find out more on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E.