Strike action: information for patients | News

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that hospital consultants and junior doctors will take part in strike action this September. For the first time in NHS history, junior doctors and consultants are also taking industrial action on the same day (Wednesday, 20 September), so it is vital that the public continue to use services wisely.

Consultants: 7am Tuesday, 19 September to 7am Thursday, 21 September.

Junior doctors: 7am Wednesday, 20 September to 7am Saturday, 23 September.

Further strikes will be held by consultants and junior doctors from Monday, 2 October to Thursday, 5 October, and by radiographers on Tuesday, 3 October to Wednesday, 4 October.

The industrial action is a national dispute between the Government and Trade Unions about terms and conditions that will impact Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust.

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.

This means that some planned care – appointments, procedures and operations, for example – may be postponed to help us safely manage the impact of the strike and provide emergency care

Appointments 

If you have an appointment at our hospital, please attend unless you hear from us.

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

How to access urgent and emergency care during industrial action

Please be aware that our hospitals, like the wider NHS and local health and care system, are very busy. You can help us manage this challenging period by seeking help from the most appropriate health services, 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 taking place, 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. 

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 (including an X-ray service)
• 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