The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed that junior doctors will be taking part in strike action across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in February.
Junior doctors will be striking from 7am on Saturday 24 February to 11.59pm on Wednesday 28 February.
The strikes are due to impact the city and county’s hospitals, mental health services, GP practices and other NHS services. The industrial action is a national dispute between the Government and Trades Unions about terms and conditions.
Dr Dave Briggs, Medical Director at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, has reminded the public to think about which services they need during this action and plan ahead for the period of disruption.
He said: “This is the tenth round of junior doctor strike action and like previous strikes, there will be major disruption during this period. We are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum and we have measures in place to ensure the safety and welfare of our patients and our staff. However, junior doctors do a vital job, so losing this part of our workforce will inevitably have a knock-on effect and you may find longer waits to be seen.
“During the industrial action we will be prioritising patients that need our services the most so if it’s not a life-threatening emergency, an urgent treatment centre can help with the most common problems people go to A&E for, such as suspected broken bones, minor head injuries or burns. If you think you need medical help right now but you’re not sure what to do, NHS 111 can help.
“We are doing everything we can to keep essential urgent and emergency care services running and I would like to thank the public for their continued support.”
Due to the reduction in staff across the system, planned surgery and outpatient appointments may be affected. If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to the strike action.
Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases by calling 999 or going to A&E. Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support is available through NHS111 online, your nearest pharmacy or at urgent treatment centres.
Pharmacies can offer over-the-counter advice and treat common conditions including urinary tract infections, middle ear infections, skin infections including impetigo, infected eczema and infected insect bites. Find out more about services available at pharmacies.