Industrial action: information for patients | News

The British Medical Association has announced that hospital consultants and junior doctors will take part in strike action in October. 

The Society of Radiographers have also announced strike action by radiographers in October. The details of the industrial action are as follows:

Junior doctors’ strike: 7am Monday, 2 October – 7am Thursday, 5 October.
Consultants’ strike: 7am Monday, 2 October – 7am Thursday, 5 October.
Radiographers’ strike: 8am Tuesday, 3 October - 8am Wednesday, 4 October.

On Tuesday, 3 October all three groups – consultants, junior doctors and radiographers – will be striking together for the first time in NHS history. 

Unfortunately, this means we will be rescheduling several routine and less urgent appointments for scans and imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI. We will not be offering a walk-in GP X-ray service at any of our sites, including:

Royal Surrey County Hospital
Haslemere Community Hospital (and the Minor Injuries Unit)
Milford Community Hospital
Cranleigh Village Hospital

Our Minor injuries Unit at Haslemere will be running as normal on these days and people should continue to attend if appropriate.

The safety of our patients and staff remains our top priority during industrial action. We are working together across our Trust to make sure we have robust plans in place to assure the safety and welfare of our patients and our colleagues during strike action.

Minor Injuries Unit

Our Minor Injuries Unit in Haslemere is open seven days a week, 8am-5pm, including during periods of industrial action.

You do not need an appointment and can receive treatment for

• wounds – cuts, bruises and grazes
• minor burns
• suspected broken bones, strains, and sprains
• minor eye injuries
• minor head injuries (with no loss of consciousness)
• removal of foreign bodies from ears, eyes or nose or from under the skin (splinters)
• bites and stings

Appointments 

If you have an appointment at one of our hospitals, please attend unless you hear from us.

Please do not call to check if your appointment is going ahead. We will be in touch with you directly if we need to rearrange your appointment.

Radiotherapy

Some radiotherapy appointments have been cancelled during the Radiographers’ strike, please speak to a member of the radiotherapy team on 01483 406600 if you are unsure whether you should still attend your appointment.

How to access urgent and emergency care during industrial action

Please be aware that our hospitals are likely to be busier than usual. You can help us manage this challenging period by 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 – they will provide medical advice and direct you to the best care for your needs.

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

If you have a life-threatening emergency, our Emergency Department (A&E) remains open 24 hours a day.

We are always here for those who need care.