Junior doctors’ industrial action at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust | News

The British Medical Association (BMA), British Dental Association (BDA) and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) have announced 96 hours of continuous junior doctors’ strike action from 7am, Friday 11 August until 7am, Tuesday 15 August.

Junior doctors are qualified doctors who have up to eight years’ experience and count for approximately 50% of all doctors in the NHS.

Following a decision by the High Court, the supply of agency workers to cover the duties of those taking industrial action will be prohibited. This means some of the cover arrangements used during previous strikes will not be possible. This is likely to have a significant impact upon services, including longer waits in our Emergency Department (A&E).

We are working hard to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and ensure we prioritise patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery.

Unfortunately, these strikes will have a significant impact upon planned and routine care and we are having to reschedule some appointments and procedures. We will contact anyone whose appointments are being affected. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.

Regardless of the strike action taking place, it is important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

You can help us manage this challenging period by making sure you are seeking help from the most appropriate health services and only attending A&E for serious accidents and emergencies. If you are unwell, use NHS 111 online for 24/7 advice about the most appropriate care for your needs, or call 111.