Publish date: 15 December 2023
Important update on industrial action
From 7am on Wednesday, 20 December, to 7am on Saturday, 23 December, and then from 7am on Wednesday, 3 January, to 7am on Tuesday, 9 January, some postgraduate (junior) doctors working at Northumbria Healthcare are taking part in the BMA’s national industrial action over NHS pay and conditions.
This is as part of a national dispute between trade unions and the Government, and is beyond the control of our trust.
Disruption expected
Given the additional pressure of having to manage the Christmas and New Year bank holidays in between the two periods of industrial action, we are warning people that they should expect disruption.
Patient safety is our primary concern. We are working extremely hard to prioritise emergency and urgent treatment. However, patients attending our A&E department and urgent treatment centres on these days should expect significant waits.
We will make every effort to maintain the safety and welfare of patients in our care, and those seeking care will be prioritised based on medical need.
Our Urgent Treatment Centres at Wansbeck/North Tyneside and Hexham will remain open, alongside our Minor Injury Units at Alnwick and Berwick. The emergency department at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington will also be open as usual. Please keep A&E for life-threatening emergencies only.
Impact on planned care
Some of our planned operations or procedures and outpatient appointments will need to be rescheduled. Patients will be contacted directly about this in advance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate that this will be disappointing for patients.
If patients have not heard from us, you should come into hospital for your procedure or attend your outpatient appointment as planned.
Help us to help you
Please use all services wisely.
If your healthcare need is not urgent, please consider options such as speaking to a pharmacist or contacting your GP.
Visit 111.nhs.uk for advice. It can direct you to the most appropriate service for your need.
Visit Health A to Z - NHS (www.nhs.uk) for information on a range of conditions, and advice on how to manage them.