UPDATE on Consultants and Junior Doctors’ Industrial Action
Junior doctors and consultants – including those at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust – will be taking industrial action this month. BMA consultants are taking part in a three-day strike from 7am on Monday 2 October to 7am on Thursday 5 October 2023.
There will, once again, be a crossover point where consultants and junior doctors are on strike at the same time. This is highly likely to have a significant impact on hospital services.
Our number one priority is to continue to ensure the safety of our patients as well as looking after the welfare and wellbeing of our colleagues. This will mean some necessary changes to the services that we are able to provide during and potentially after the strike.
Whilst we are seeking to keep as many services, in our hospitals, in our community sites and in people’s homes, operating as possible, including all emergency and essential services, we have had to postpone a large number of planned outpatient appointments and elective procedures. Some appointments before and after the days of the industrial action may also be affected. All patients impacted by this will be contacted directly and rescheduled as soon as we can.
If you have not heard from us by the day of your appointment, please come to your procedure or appointment as planned.
Andrew McLaren, Chief Medical Officer at the Trust, said: “Our people are working exceptionally hard to provide the best service they can during this challenging time. They will need to focus on and prioritise the most urgent patients, which means that our Emergency Department will be extremely busy.
“We are very grateful to the public for all their help and support over the last months of strike action. Please continue to support us by using the right health service to meet your needs. Don’t simply come to the Emergency Department if your condition is less serious, as it may not be the right place for you to receive treatment and you will face long waits. If you are unsure where to go, please visit NHS 111 either online or by phone. They can provide advice and direct you to the best place for the care you need.”