Shropshire junior doctors take part in second strike
Junior doctors in Shropshire are today taking part in a national one-day walkout in protest over new contracts.
They will withdraw all but emergency care for 24 hours from 8am this morning until 8am on Thursday 11th February.
The action is a change from the total withdrawal of care originally planned by doctors' union, the BMA, and is the second walkout in protest at proposed new contracts.
Debbie Kadum, Chief Operating Officer at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), said: “We have been working hard with our teams across the Trust and, as with the previous period of industrial action, put in place robust plans in order to keep the impact on our patients to a minimum and also to ensure that we support all of our staff.
“We have again had positive meetings with representatives from the British Medical Association (BMA), who have reiterated that their priority remains the care and safety of all of our patients.
“Whilst the impact on our patients during the previous period of industrial action was relatively low, we have made sure we have taken learning from that into our planning for next week.
“We also recognise that any disruption can be inconvenient and we have again taken steps to ensure that any patient affected by next week’s action has been notified in good time and apologise for any inconvenience this might cause. Unless you have been contacted in advance, please assume that your appointment is going ahead as planned.”
“Once again, we would like to remind people to ensure they are prepared for any disruption next week’s action might cause.
“If you have regular medication, make sure you have collected your prescription from the GP in plenty of time and have been to the pharmacist to collect it so that you have it to hand.
“If you feel unwell contact your GP or pharmacist, or contact NHS111 for advice. Additionally the Stay Well website at http://www.nhs.uk/staywell/ contains advice on the best services for you or your family.
“Your local pharmacy can offer advice on common problems such as coughs, colds, aches and pains and can also help you decide whether you need to see a doctor.”
