The British Medical Association has announced that junior doctors will be taking part in national industrial action, in the form of a 72 hour strike, at NHS trusts across the country from 06:59 on Monday 13 March until 06:59 on Thursday 16 March. This will impact services at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
We would like to reassure all our patients that we have a clear plan in place to protect your safety and care should the strike action go ahead. Our staff are working hard to ensure we can continue to provide both emergency care for the most seriously ill and injured patients, as well as maternity services and care on the wards for our patients.
Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
Everyone who has an appointment on either Monday 13 March, Tuesday 14 March or Wednesday 15 March should attend as planned, unless we have contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal. We will be rearranging any postponed appointments as a priority.
During this time we need patients to help us by using our services wisely and taking 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 attend our Emergency Department if it is a life-threatening emergency.
Thank you for your understanding.
What if I have an appointment on a strike day?
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned unless we have contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal.
If your appointment is cancelled due to the industrial action, we will contact you to rebook it as soon as possible. Please be patient with us whilst we work to recover our services – we will be in touch with you.
Is there anything I should do now?
No, the NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes?
No, if we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
What if I need urgent or emergency care?
Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online to be assessed and directed to the right care for them. If you do not have internet access then 111 helpline is available. When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999.
What should I do if I need an ambulance?
Patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, and there is risk to life. Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate.
For all other health care needs support will be available through NHS111 online (if you do not have internet access then 111 helpline is available) or at your local GP or pharmacy.