Five day strike for resident doctors in the North East in row over pay
Resident doctors are walking out until 7am on Wednesday
NHS bosses in the North East and Teesside are reminding the public about potential disruption to their appointments over the next five days.
Members of the BMA are striking over pay and career progression until 7am on Wednesday (19th).
The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) says people should only call 999 for an ambulance or attend A&E for life-threatening conditions or injuries only.
They add that the strikes will affect NHS services and patients should expect disruption and potential long waits, and during the following immediate days when patient attendance often peaks, this is alongside trusts managing winter flu admissions, which has arrived early this year and causing significant added pressures.
Dr Neil O’Brien, chief medical officer for the North East and North Cumbria ICB, said: “This strike has come at a time when NHS services are seeing increased demand due to the early spread of winter viruses, such as flu, in our communities and also amongst hospital staff, meaning fewer staff to cover.
“So, people can expect long delays and more disruption to NHS services during the industrial action.
“Emergency and urgent care services will be prioritised during this time, so we really need the public’s understanding to only call 999 and attend emergency departments if it is a genuine life-threatening injury or illness.”
“For urgent health needs that are not life threatening, please use NHS 111 online or by phone.
“If you have friends or loved ones in hospital, we urge you not to visit if you are unwell yourself or have been unwell in the past 48 hours, to help prevent further spread of viruses within our hospitals.
“GP practices and local pharmacies will still be open as usual during the industrial action to help with advice and treatments, as well as offering flu jab vaccinations, which we recommend everyone who is eligible to have it”.
Come to your appointment
The NHS is also reminding the public to keep their appointments unless they hear otherwise.
Dr O’Brien added: “People will be contacted directly if there are any changes to their planned appointment or surgery, and there is no need to contact the NHS about this.”
The public are reminded for urgent health needs, which are not life threatening, www.111.nhs.uk is available 24 hours a day. Its symptom checker can be used to assess symptoms, and it will direct to a health professional if people need to be seen by someone. Also, self-care advice is available on NHS online.
Parents, carers and young people can also use the Healthier Together app or website which provides NHS healthcare advice and top tips on a range of child related illnesses along with information on local services.
Anyone needing mental health crisis support can phone NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
NHS bosses are warning the strikes comes at an already challenging time for the service with flu cases set to peak immediately after industrial action.
During the last round of strikes in July, a robust approach by the NHS to preserve services and maintain patient safety saw over 10,000 extra patients receive their care compared to the previous five days of industrial action in summer 2024.
The NHS maintained the vast majority of operations, tests and procedures despite the disruption, as well as dealing with urgent and emergency cases.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England National Medical Director, said:
“It is frustrating and disappointing that we are facing another round of industrial action at a challenging time for the NHS, with flu cases rising earlier than usual and more staff likely to be absent due to illness.
“Despite this, staff across the NHS are working extremely hard to maintain care and limit disruption.
“The public should continue to come forward for their appointments over the next few days unless they are contacted by the NHS and told otherwise.
“Inevitably some appointments won’t be able to go ahead as planned but we are doing everything possible to keep this to a minimum – and the last round of industrial action showed that, thanks to a strong collective effort, we were able to keep the vast majority of services going for patients."
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said:
“As we enter this needless round of strike action, patients should feel reassured that the NHS is more resilient than ever in minimising disruption. During the last round, we reduced cancellations by 11,000 compared to previous strikes and limited costs by millions. The NHS is aiming to keep 95% of planned care going to reduce the impact on patients.
“Make no mistake, this requires a herculean effort from the entire breadth of staff across the NHS. I cannot thank them enough for all their work throughout the next 5 days to keep the show on the road, showing the meaning of public service.
"But there is no doubt that strikes will cause some disruption for patients and the NHS staff left picking up the pieces. The fault for that lies squarely with the BMA, who refused to put the government's offer to its members. The BMA could have secured more jobs and cut professional costs for resident doctors on top of the 28.9% pay rise they have already have thanks to this government, but they rejected it out of hand.
"I urge resident doctors not to follow the BMA out on strike, come to work to give your patients the care they need, and let's continue rebuilding our NHS."