Further industrial action is expected to significantly impact NHS services.
Consultants and junior doctors at Bradford Teaching Hospitals and Airedale General Hospital will take part in joint strike action from Monday 2 October to 7am on Thursday 5 October.
Radiographers at Airedale Hospital will also strike for 24-hours from 8am on Tuesday 3 October to 8am on Wednesday 4 October, which may affect certain types of scans and x-rays that need a radiographer to take them.
During the joint strikes, junior doctors and consultants will provide ‘Christmas Day’ cover, meaning Airedale Hospital and Bradford Teaching Hospitals’ emergency services will remain open but a significant amount of elective care treatments and outpatient appointments will be impacted. GP practices will remain open as normal but are expected to be busier than usual as a result.
The NHS is asking patients to choose services wisely during the industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
Saj Azeb, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The industrial action will again reduce the number of junior doctors and consultants we have in our hospitals.
“Some elective care and outpatient appointments will unfortunately have to be cancelled and rearranged so that we can ensure we can continue to run critical emergency care services – but please continue to attend any booked appointments unless you hear otherwise.”
Leanne Cooper, Chief Operating Officer at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust added: “Our Emergency Departments will be affected by the industrial action, so again we would like to emphasise that it’s really important that people only come to A&E if they are seriously unwell or injured.
“We will do our best to minimise the impact on elective care and outpatient appointments and those affected will be notified. To help us prioritise those who need emergency medical help, please use NHS 111 online as a first port of call for non-urgent medical advice.”
Mental wellbeing support will continue to be available through Guide-Line between 8am and 12am on 08001 884 884 or the Healthy Minds website to get help. For 24/7 urgent mental health crisis support, people should contact First Response on 0800 952 1181.