JUNIOR doctors and consultants at University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) are set to down tools in a wave of strike action over pay and conditions.
The walkout for consultant doctors is set to take place for 48 hours from from 7am today (September 19) until 7am on Thursday (September 21).
There will then be some overlap with industrial action by junior doctors taking place for 72 hours, starting on Wednesday (September 20) until Friday (September 22).
As a result, some routine appointment and procedures may be postponed at UHB, which oversees the running of Solihull Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
In a statement ahead of the strikes UHB said: “Regardless of any industrial 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 – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
“If we have not already contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
“We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled, due to industrial action, and will look to reschedule it as soon as possible.
“We understand that this is a worrying time for you and are very sorry for any additional worry, or distress, this may cause.”
The Trust added that its emergency departments (A&Es) will remain open but warned waiting times may be longer than normal and staff will see patients in order of clinical priority – those with emergency and very urgent conditions will be seen first.
UHB advised: “If appropriate, please consider using other non-hospital services including pharmacies, urgent treatment centres and your GP.
“Please be aware that all NHS services may be impacted by the industrial action.
“For more information about local services that are available, visit the NHS website.”
There will be further industrial action from October 2 to October 5, by both consultant doctors and junior doctors.
