Disruption to NHS services will be low during strike action
Disruption to NHS services will be low during strike action
NHS Greater Manchester is working very hard to ensure disruption to patients is minimum during Thursday’s industrial action. Doctors across England will hold a one-day strike on Thursday 21 June in response to Government proposals to change public sector pensions. Any patient due to have an appointment or treatment on this day should assume it is going ahead as planned unless they have been told otherwise. All Greater Manchester GP’s will be in surgery as normal although some will not be doing non-urgent procedures.
Dr Raj Patel, Medical Director of NHS Greater Manchester said;
"The BMA have declared a day of industrial action for doctors on June 21st. NHS Greater Manchester will work closely with the BMA and the profession to minimise any disruption to clinical services on the day. Patient safety is paramount to all health professionals and managers and planning for the day will help us ensure this.
Doctors who participate in industrial action have pledged to continue duties that are necessary for the safe continuance of clinical services on the day of action. Any patient who is or believes themselves to be in need of urgent and emergency care from a doctor will be seen and treated appropriately.
Doctors taking action may however defer work that is considered non urgent or non emergency to another day. The GMC imposes a professional obligation on doctors to ensure suitable patient care that is not suspended by industrial action. Doctors scheduled to work are expected to attend their places of work as usual. Any doctor who does not report to his/her workplace as usual will be considered as acting outside of the scope of action called by the BMA.
All hospitals, clinics and GP practices should be open as usual but some may be providing services restricted to urgent and emergency care. We don't know at this point how many doctors are planning to take part in the action, but we will make sure that anyone who needs to be seen urgently by a doctor will be seen on the day."
Patients are reminded that they should only attend A+E if they are seriously ill. Pharmacies will be open as normal and can offer advice and treatment about common complaints. You can download NHS information about self-treating common complaints and finding local services to your mobile phone – go to www.northwest.nhs.uk or go to www.nhs.uk