Hospitals urge public to ‘use NHS services wisely’ ahead of doctors’ strike

An NHS trust has said a fresh round of strikes is set to ramp up hospital pressures this Bank Holiday weekend.

Consultants at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group will be taking industrial action tomorrow and on Friday, providing what is known as “Christmas Day cover” only.

That means that while all emergency care will continue, some appointments for things like elective surgery and non-emergency work will be rescheduled.

The August Bank Holiday weekend begins immediately after the strikes – which the health group says can often cause a rise in demand.

To try and lessen the pressures, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is “urging” members of the public to “use NHS services wisely” so care continues to be available for those most in need.

The trust has also warned people that they may be redirected to another service if that is better suited to their healthcare needs.

The British Medical Association (BMA) – a trade union for doctors – has said this strike action comes in response to the governments six per cent pay rise for consultants earlier this year.

Consultants’ real earnings have plummeted by 15 per cent since 2010 based on the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), which is used to measure the cost of living.

Dr Richard Jennings, chief medical officer for St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, said: “Summer is traditionally less busy for the NHS, but that certainly hasn’t been the case this year.

“Industrial action and periods of increased demand – including our busiest day ever in our emergency departments – have meant we’ve faced significant pressures.

“That looks set to continue this week and into the weekend, so once again we’re asking for your support.

If you need medical help, please consider whether our emergency departments are the best place for you to be, or if it’s more appropriate for you to seek treatment elsewhere.”

Hospitals have advised the public, when it’s an emergency or life-threatening, always call 999 or visit an emergency department. For less urgent care, NHS 111 online should be the first port of call.

The trust has also confirmed that GP surgeries and pharmacies will be largely unaffected by these two days of strikes and can help with illnesses such as tonsillitis, coughs, colds and earaches.

The UK health secretary Steve Barclay, said: “I am concerned and disappointed that the BMA has gone ahead with this industrial action which – will continue to affect patients and hamper efforts to cut NHS waiting lists.

 “I’m aware some consultants cut short their annual leave over the most recent periods of industrial action by the BMA Junior Doctors Committee and I am incredibly grateful to those staff who came forward to help protect patients and services.

 “We have accepted the independent pay review body recommendations in full, giving consultants a 6 per cent pay rise that will see average basic full-time pay increase by around £6,300 to £111,800 – which in cash terms is above what most in the public and private sectors are receiving.

“This is on top of the 4.5 per cent rise they received last year and generous changes to pension taxation, and when taken with other additional payments means the average consultant’s NHS earnings are expected to increase to £134,000 a year.”

“This pay award is final and I urge the BMA to call an end to strikes.”

Pictured top: Consultants on strike this year (Picture: BMA)