Junior doctors' strike: A message from clinicians at UHD
Our junior doctors are on strike until 7am on Thursday 16 March as part of the British Medical Association (BMA) industrial action. This is a full stoppage of work, including nights, on-call shifts and non-resident work.
Our focus during this time is to ensure safe care, and to prioritise emergency and life preserving care. Regrettably, this means we need to postpone a number of appointments and some surgeries as clinical teams support other departments. Any patients affected will be contacted.
Dr Helen Holt, a consultant at University Hospitals Dorset and chair of our Medical Staff Committee, said: "On behalf of my fellow consultants working during this time of junior doctor industrial action that we strongly support, we want to apologise for all those who will be affected by the strike. Many of you will have your appointments postponed and many will also face longer delays accessing our services. None of us working in the NHS want this to happen to anyone and we are sorry.
"Our hospitals rely on the skills of our junior doctors and that is why it is so important that a resolution if found as soon as possible to this industrial action. We support our junior doctors as we know how vital they are for your care and the running of our hospitals. We will be working during the time to ensure the care of our inpatients and running our emergency departments, with our priority as always on patient safety, but we cannot run the same service as junior doctors provide. Missed appointments will be rescheduled as soon as possible, but we understand the impact this will have. "
Dr Harry Adlington, clinical director for urgent and emergency care at University Hospitals Dorset, added:“Junior doctors across the country are going on strike for three days. These are frontline, experienced members of staff caring for you every day.
“We will have to work differently in our hospitals during this strike action, and will be prioritising emergency and life preserving care.
“We need the public’s help to keep 999 and A&E clear for genuine life-threatening emergencies. Before attending, please consider any other alternative healthcare providers who might be able to help. Call your GP, pharmacies, and minor injury units. If you need medical help, continue to use NHS 111 online.
“Patient safety is our priority and regrettably, we have had to postpone a number of appointments so our medical teams can support other departments. We will reschedule these as soon as possible and want to thank those affected for their patience and understanding.
“Our staff are doing all they can to support safe and compassionate care at this very difficult time.”
Help us continue to provide care for those who need it most by using the right services at the right time:
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Keep 999 and A&E clear for genuine life-threatening emergencies
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Use NHS 111 online or by phone for other urgent care needs. If you are contacting 111, please give as much information as you can, as that will help you get the right support and advice.
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Contact your GP practice for non-urgent care
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If you need mental health support call Connection on 0800 652 0190. The Connection service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Visit your local pharmacy - find a pharmacy near you.
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Patient discharge - help us get patients who are ready for discharge home so our hospital beds are available for people who need them most urgently. Most patients will continue to recover at home once they leave hospital. In fact, many patients need to leave hospital to be able to complete their recovery fully.
