The BMA junior doctors in England will be taking part in further strike action in February.
Continuous strike action – day and night – will begin from 7am on Saturday 24 February to midnight on Wednesday 28 February 2024.
Many of our junior doctors working in Newcastle Hospitals will be taking part which means there will be an impact on the services we provide.
On these days – and to maintain patient safety – we will prioritise emergency treatment and patients seeking urgent treatment will be seen. Unfortunately this means we will have to reschedule some routine appointments and procedures and we will be contacting patients directly to let them know.
We appreciate that this will be frustrating, however, it is essential that we reschedule to allow emergency care to continue to be available. All appointments will be re-arranged as a priority.
Some key messages for patients and the public:
- If you are seriously ill or injured, or your life is at risk, you should continue to come forward and seek emergency care in the usual way. Call 999 or attend the Emergency Department.
- If you need urgent medical help or advice (that won’t wait for a GP appointment), or if you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital, go to NHS 111 online (www.111.nhs.uk) first. If you do not have internet access then dial 111 for free from any phone. Please do not turn up to hospital without using 111 first. You can also visit your nearest pharmacy and can check opening times here.
- If you need urgent medical attention, but it’s not a life-threatening situation, our urgent treatment centres are open every day of the year for minor illness and injury. You can find out more on our website.
- If you need urgent mental health support, you can get 24/7 access to your local crisis team via Mental Health Helpline for Urgent Help – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
- If you have a planned appointment on the days of strike, please attend as planned, unless we have contacted you. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening?
The BMA which represents junior doctors are in dispute with the Government and have balloted it members to take part in a further wave of industrial action. Junior doctors in England will strike from 7am on Saturday 24 February to midnight on Wednesday 28 February.
What if I need urgent or emergency care?
Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the right care for them. When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999 or attending A&E.
What if I have an appointment on strike days?
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless we have contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal. If your appointment has been postponed and you were due to come into hospital using patient transport ambulance services, please let them know.
Will emergency care be affected on strike days?
Emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country. It is really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or their life is at risk patients continue to come forward as normal.
Will GP services be affected on strike days?
GP services will be running as normal on strike days. Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments.
When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?
We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a letter or phone call, and you should be offered an alternative date for your appointment. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
Is there anything I should do now?
No. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes?
No, if we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. If you are not sure if your appointment is going ahead, please contact the clinic / department in your letter.
How long will services be impacted?
This is a continuous strike – day and night – and will take place from 7am on Saturday 24 February to midnight on Wednesday 28 February.
