Operations at Stoke Mandeville Hospital are disrupted today (Tuesday) as junior doctors strike in a dispute with the government over a new contract.
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The strike begins across England at 08:00 GMT, from when junior doctors will only provide emergency care.
“RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT members are urged to join the picket lines at their local hospital tomorrow to show solidarity with the junior doctors at this crucial point in their fight for justice”.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW), which runs hospitals in both towns, said it has moved 17 appointments falling during the strike action.
“Emergency and essential care will continue for patients when they need it”.
East and North Herts NHS Trust issued a statement saying all urgent care centre services at the hospital will continue to operate as normal during the strike, although somewaiting times may be longer.
The striking doctors argue patients will be put at risk by the government’s policies, while the government says the National Health Service needs more flexibility to deliver services on weekends.
Ian Frame, South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trusts Executive Director, Personnel and Development, said: We would like to assure the public everything was done to minimise disruption to services at South Tyneside District Hospital, while ensuring patient safety was not compromised in any way.
“We take this opportunity to remind people of the alternative options available to them to avoid making a trip to A&E unnecessarily”.
Around 20 doctors who are members of the British Medical Association are displaying placards at the hospital entrance on Coreys Mill Lane and cheering as passing motorists beep their horns. “Get round the table and pull out of the strike”.
Patients have been told hospitals are under pressure and asked to attend A&E only if they have a genuine emergency as the 24-hour strike starts from 8am.
There will be three periods of strike action.
Talks aimed at resolving a dispute over a new contract failed on Friday, meaning a 24-hour strike will go ahead from 8am on Tuesday.
Some junior doctors in the West Midlands refused to go back to work despite an order from their NHS trust.
This will be followed by a 48-hour stoppage and the provision of emergency care only from 8am on January 26.
Dr Mark Porter, BMA council chairman, said: “After weeks of further negotiations, it is clear that the Government is still not taking junior doctors’ concerns seriously”.
Health bosses are offering “time-and-a-half” for any hours worked between 10pm and 7am, Monday to Sunday, and “time-and-a-third” for 7pm to 10pm on Saturdays and 7am and 10pm on Sundays.
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He said: “Forty five thousand junior doctors have had a look at the proposals from the government and what it’s going to mean for us next year, and how it’s going to affect our working conditions, our family lives and pay”.
