Gloucestershire's hospitals prepared for doctor's strike

18th June 2012, 14:36

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says it has been working closely with staff to ensure that any impact to patients on Thursday, June 21 is kept to a minimum.

Some NHS doctors who are members of the British Medical Association may be taking industrial action in response to proposed changes to public sector pensions. The action will last for 24 hours.

The Trust ise urging any patient with an appointment at Cheltenham General or Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals on 21st June 2012 to come in as planned unless contacted directly by the hospital.

The have contingency plans in place to ensure that patient services at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals continue to be delivered safely and consistently throughout the day.

Emergency services will be unaffected, and the majority of planned appointments and procedures are due to go ahead. Inpatients will receive their normal high quality, safe care and treatment.

In order to minimise disruption on the day, the Trust has also taken the decision to reschedule some routine outpatient appointments and operations planned for June 21 and will contact patients who are affected by the change.

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Director of Medicine Dr Sean Elyan:

"We would like to reassure the public that, whilst we do not know exactly what impact industrial action will have on the hospital, we will do all we can to minimise disruption for our patients and to avoid last minute cancellations of appointments where possible.

“We will continue to provide a high standard of patient care and all emergency services will be provided in the usual way. We are proactively contacting any patients with appointments that may be affected on the day and would ask that unless you are contacted, to attend your appointment as planned.

“We are confident, that through the professionalism and commitment of our workforce, the standard of clinical care will not in any way be compromised."

The Trust website will be updated during the day if there is any change.