JUNIOR doctors in Coventry are today taking part in the first all-out strike in the NHS’ history.
As part of the ongoing dispute between the Government’s Department of Health and the British Medical Association (BMA) junior doctors will not be working in A&E.
Junior doctors started strike action at 8am on Tuesday (April 26) and will continue until 5pm on Wednesday (April 27).
The two-day strike is the latest in a series of industrial action carried out by junior doctors over the over the imposition of an unpopular new contract this summer which they say would force them to work longer hours with no extra pay.
CREDIT: @covsocialists
They argue this would result in junior doctors being overworked and therefore more likely to make mistakes and potentially put patients’ lives at risk.
A spokesperson for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust said despite the strikes, the hospital had plans in place to minimise disruption and ‘ensure service remain safe,1
They added: “Our contingency plans include consultants and other senior staff providing urgent and emergency care as required.
“We may need to reschedule some patient appointments, and decisions to reschedule appointments will be made by the patient’s specific doctor.
“Patients will be contacted individually if they are affected. If patients have not been contacted they should turn up for their treatment as usual.”
No disruption is anticipated on the Labour Ward or the Lucina Birth Centre, though patients visiting A&E are being urged to ‘think sensibly’ about whether to attend.
The spokesperson said: “There will be extra pressure in the system and in order for us to be able to treat the sickest patients quickly we would ask that people consider using pharmacists or their GP, or calling NHS 111.”
The walk-in centre on Stoney Stanton Road is also open from 8am until 10pm tonight.
