Chesterfield Royal plans for doctors' strike

As a result of the strike, which involves junior doctors not providing any cover from 8am to 5pm on both Tuesday, April 26th and Wednesday, April 27th, the hospital will focus on keeping key services running.

These include A+E and the acute medicine and surgery unit, the intensive care and high dependency units, the birth centre and children’s ward and all in-patient wards and urgent diagnostics.

The hospital has also postponed almost all its planned routine surgery to make sure support to these critical areas is maximised.

Medical Director, Gail Collins, said: “We apologise to any of our patients who will be affected by this national strike action, but we know they will appreciate the decisions we’ve had to take to protect critical services over the two-days.”

“We know that anyone coming in for non-urgent surgery will be disappointed to have had their operation postponed, but we have to make sure that urgent care is protected.

“Patients already in hospital, and those admitted in an emergency over the strike period will be treated and cared for by staff with the right skills, senior experience and expertise. The safety of our patients is what’s most important.”

During the strike A+E will be staffed by a team of nine senior medics, consultants will be supporting the in-patient wards and there will be extra support staff in place as well.

Many routine out-patient appointments will need to be changed as well – and the patients affected will have received a letter or telephone call to inform them of the new date.

Gail Collins also appealed for the public to help them during the strike by thinking carefully about the kind of medical attention they need.

She said: “It will be even more important to think about the best place to go to get the medical help you need.”

“Advice from your local pharmacist, a GP appointment, a minor injuries unit, or a call to the 111 might be the right course of action if you do not need urgent medical attention.”