People are being warned to prepare for longer hospital delays and cancelled appointments ahead of the latest doctors’ strike.
Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, will take part in the industrial action for the second time this year when a four day strike takes place from 7am on Monday, June 15 as part of a long running dispute over pay and working conditions.
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (LSCICB), which organises health services for the region, says plans have been put it place to mitigate the impact but warned there will be still be disruption.
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Professor Craig Harris, chief commissioning officer at LSCICB said: “Industrial action will still have an impact and people will find that waits in hospitals may be longer and some planned appointments will inevitably be cancelled.
“Unless you have been informed by us that your appointment won’t be going ahead, please attend as normal. Similarly, we urge anyone in need of urgent medical care to continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and serious life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
“While summertime was traditionally a little less busy in hospitals, that is no longer the case and we ask everyone to use services appropriately during this time, including using 111 online for quick and easy medical help.”
Both primary care and secondary care have worked in partnership to mitigate risks to patient safety and there are robust plans in place to minimise the disruption and reduce delays as much as possible. Resident doctors make up almost half of the number of doctors in the NHS
