North Yorkshire junior doctors strike in dispute over pay
They're walking out for the next five days
Junior doctors at hospitals are walking out from today in its long-running dispute over pay.
Members of the British Medical Association will be taking its 11th-round of strike action across the country for the next five days, between 7am today (Thursday 27th June) and 7am on Tuesday 2nd July.
Junior doctors make up around half of the doctors in the NHS. They are qualified doctors who have up to eight years’ experience as a hospital doctor, or up to three years in general practice.
Doctor Tom Sharpe is Chair of the Yorkshire Junior Doctor's Regional committee and says they feel they've got no choice: "Unfortunately yes the strikes do lead to elective surgeries and routine appointments being cancelled, but as we've seen in our previous rounds of strikes there hasn't been any impact on patient safety. Hospitals have been staffed by our consultant colleagues and our speciality doctor colleagues who have kept patients safe."
"Waiting lists are in the millions, the NHS is understaffed, doctors are leaving for other Countries like New Zealand. Patients and doctors deserve better."
"The public is on our side and we thank them for their support and I'd like to reassure them that they will be kept safe during this round of industrial action, as they have been in every other round of industrial action."
What do North Yorkshire's hospitals say?
In a statement Harrogate and District NHS Foundation trust said: “In advance of the junior doctors industrial action we have established a multi-professional strike planning team to develop plans to ensure essential services can be maintained on the strike days, and to minimise any impact on our services, staff and patients and ensure those people in our care remain safe.
“Some planned, non-urgent treatment and elective operations have needed to be rescheduled. The postponed appointments and treatment is being rescheduled as a priority so that that our patients can be seen as soon as possible.
“To alleviate the pressure on our Emergency Department, unless it’s a life-threatening or a severe illness or injury, we would ask that people who need medical assistance contact NHS 111 first. The NHS will help you right away and if you need urgent care, the NHS can book you in to be seen quickly and safely.
“People with life-threatening illnesses or injuries should continue to dial 999 and anyone who arrives at A&E without calling NHS 111 will still receive medical care, with those needing emergency treatment prioritised.”
“We appreciate this situation is frustrating for those affected and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
A spokesperson from the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:
“Our hospitals are likely to be significantly impacted by the upcoming junior doctor strike action, although other doctors, including consultants and other specialist doctors, will still be working during this period.
“During the action, we will continue to prioritise urgent and emergency treatment to protect patient safety and ensure those in life-saving emergencies receive the best possible care. Anyone with an appointment should continue to attend as planned, unless contacted.
“It is even more important people choose services appropriately during this period of action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port, and only using 999 if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency. For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.”
Key NHS services
- NHS 111 online which includes a symptom checker and will re-direct you to a health professional if you need medical attention.
- Telephone 111.
- Self-care advice is available online from the NHS at www.nhs.uk.
- Details of local pharmacy services are available at www.nhs.uk.
- Families can also download the Healthier Together app for advice on common childhood illnesses and when to get medical help. Healthier Together is available from the App Store and Google Play.
Anyone needing urgent mental health support can get help by calling 111 and choosing option 2.