Publish date: 11 July 2023
Important update on industrial action
From 7am on Thursday, 13 July, until 7am on Tuesday, 18 July, some postgraduate (junior) doctors working at Northumbria Healthcare are taking part in the BMA’s national industrial action over NHS pay.
Then, from 7am on Thursday, 20 July, until 7am on Saturday, 22 July, some consultants at the trust are taking part in equivalent national industrial action by the BMA.
Both are national disputes between trade unions and the Government and are beyond the control of our trust.
Patient safety is always our primary concern and we are working extremely hard to prioritise emergency and urgent treatment.
Please be assured that we will make every effort to maintain the safety and welfare of patients in our care, however, those attending on the affected days should expect some potential disruption.
Some of our planned operations or procedures and outpatient appointments will need to be rescheduled. Patients will be contacted directly about this in advance.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate that this will be disappointing for patients, but this is a national dispute which is beyond our control. We will be rearranging postponed appointments as a priority.
If patients have not heard from us, you should come into hospital for your procedure or attend your outpatient appointment as planned.
Our Urgent Treatment Centres at Wansbeck/North Tyneside and Hexham will remain open, alongside our Minor Injury Units at Alnwick and Berwick. The emergency department at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington will also be open as usual, but please keep A&E for life-threatening emergencies only.
Please use all of these services wisely and if your healthcare need is not urgent, please consider options such as speaking to a pharmacist or contacting your GP. Visit 111.nhs.uk for advice on a range of conditions and the most appropriate service for your need.