Public urged to use services wisely during industrial action

The British Medical Association has announced that consultants will be striking at NHS organisations across England, including Medway NHS Foundation Trust, from 7am on Tuesday 19 September until 6.59am on Thursday 21 September.

Also, junior doctors will be taking industrial action from 7am on Wednesday 20 September until 6.59am on Saturday 23 September.

Patients are assured that emergency services will continue to be provided over this time, including the day when both consultants and junior doctors are taking action (Wednesday 20 September).

We expect that our Emergency Department will be extremely busy this week and you may experience very long waits. If you need medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital, visit NHS 111 online unless it is a life-threatening emergency when you should still call 999.

GP services and pharmacies are also available for patients and can be accessed in the normal way.

We want to reassure our patients, their families and carers that our priority is to continue to provide safe care for those who need it during the strike action.

To ensure patient safety there may be a requirement to cancel some non-urgent outpatient and elective procedures, and patients will be notified directly if their appointment or surgery needs to be rescheduled. If you do not hear from us, please attend your appointment as planned.

Jayne Black, Chief Executive, said: “Our Emergency Department remains open if you or someone you care for needs urgent medical care, so please do come forward, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases.

“However, we are urging anyone with a non-urgent care need to first seek help from NHS 111 online and only use 999 in a life-threatening emergency”.

We would like to remind all patients and visitors to our site to treat our staff with kindness and respect in the run up to, during and after industrial action has taken place.

Thank you for your understanding.