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It won’t be business as usual during strikes, warn Northumbria Healthcare chiefs

‘We’re here for you if you need us, but it won’t be business as usual’ – that’s the key public message from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for the upcoming strikes.

From 7am on Monday, October 2, until 7am on Thursday, October 5, some postgraduate (junior) doctors and consultants working at Northumbria Healthcare are taking part in the BMA’s national industrial action over NHS pay.

Patients in Northumberland and North Tyneside are being warned there may be disruption to services such as urgent and emergency care, and planned operations, appointments and tests.

Dr Jeremy Rushmer, the trust’s executive medical director, said: “Patient safety is always our primary concern. We are working extremely hard to prioritise emergency and urgent treatment. 

“I would like to offer my assurances to our communities that we are and will continue to make every effort to maintain the safety and welfare of patients in our care.

“However, anyone attending on the affected days should expect some potential disruption. This includes longer waits to be seen in our emergency department and Urgent Treatment Centres.”

His fellow executive medical director, Dr Alistair Blair, who is also a Northumberland GP, added: “Unfortunately, we will need to reschedule some of our operations, tests and outpatient appointments to ensure we can support those in the greatest need.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes and fully understand that this will be disappointing for patients. We will be rearranging postponed appointments as a priority.

“We are contacting those affected directly so if you have not heard from us, please come into hospital as planned.”

Northumbria Healthcare’s Urgent Treatment Centres at Wansbeck, North Tyneside and Hexham will remain open, alongside the 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. People are being reminded that A&E is for life-threatening emergencies only. This includes severe difficulty breathing, choking, heavy bleeding, seizures or fits, and signs of a heart attack or stroke.

The trust asks that people use all its 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.

Media contact

Ben O’Connell, external communications manager, Northumbria Healthcare

Benjamin.O'Connell@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk or 07833 046680.