Patients told to avoid A&E during junior doctors strike unless problem is ‘serious or life-threatening’

NHS leaders have warned services across South London are likely to be severely affected by a junior doctors’ strike beginning this week.

Starting at 7am on Wednesday the strike will last for three days, until 7am on Saturday.

Dr Jonty Heaversedge, joint medical director for the NHS in South-east London, said: “This will be a very challenging few days.

“Junior doctors account for half of all the NHS’s doctors and it is understandable that people will be worried about their absence.

“However, patient safety remains our top priority and we can all play our part by limiting the pressure on other NHS staff and on the health service before, during and after the strike.”

Junior doctors are on strike across the country as the British Medical Association attempts to secure them a pay rise “that fully restores pay for junior doctors after the more than 26 per cent drop they have suffered over the past 15 years”.

NHS leaders and clinicians are urging people to help limit the impact by choosing the best option when seeking advice or treatment. 

They have advised not going to emergency departments unless patients have a “serious injury or life threatening illness”

Instead, they have advised people to speak with their GP or pharmacist, call 111 or visit NHS 111 to ensure that emergency care is available for those who need it most.

GP surgeries will be open as usual during the strike and people with an NHS appointment should attend as planned unless they have been contacted about rescheduling.

Dr Heaversedge also urged people to help out the local NHS by checking in on vulnerable neighbours, friends and relatives – especially during hot weather.

Andrew Bland, chief executive of South East London Integrated Care Board, said: “It is unfortunate that local people will have tests or treatment disrupted but we have put in place comprehensive measures to minimise the impact on patients. 

“The residents of South-east London have responded well during the earlier strike action taken by junior doctors and other NHS staff. 

“I would like to thank them for that and urge them to continue doing their bit by making use of the full range of services available.”

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “Another three days of strikes by junior doctors will risk patient safety and lead to further disruption and postponed treatments.

“We made a fair and reasonable opening offer to the BMA and were in active discussions about both pay and non-pay issues.

Unfortunately, it seems they are unwilling to move meaningfully away from unreasonable demands that would see doctors’ pay increase by either 35 per cent this year, or at least 49 per cent by next year, which were the two propositions they put on the table.”

Pictured top: Junior doctors on strike outside St Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster Bridge Road (Picture: BMA/Sarah Turton)