Junior doctors at loggerheads with health secretary Jeremy Hunt will walk out on strike at the Countess of Chester Hospital and across England for the fourth time tomorrow (Wednesday, April 6) in a row over contracts.
Emergency care only will provided at the Countess as part of a national 48-hour junior doctors’ strike which begins at 8am on Wednesday.
A full walkout with no emergency cover is planned from 8am to 5pm on April 26 and 27, in a dramatic escalation of the dispute with government following the decision to impose the new terms and conditions in August.
Related story: Striking Chester doctors fear NHS is under threat
Without more staff, the British Medical Association claims a comprehensive 7-day service – with routine care added to the basic emergency service at weekends – will lead to stressed out doctors working longer hours, potentially putting patients’ lives at risk and all for a reduced pay packet.
Watch: Junior doctors on strike outside the Countess
Junior doctors this week launched a landmark legal battle against the government after raising more than £115,000 in a crowd funding campaign.
Medics’ lawyers lodged a formal complaint with the Department of Health claiming Jeremy Hunt has ‘no legal power’ to force through his NHS deal.
Management at the Countess of Chester Hospital are warning patients of the ‘potential disruption’ to services but says clinical teams and managers are working closely to ensure patient welfare and safety is not put at risk.
Routine hospital appointments or procedures are likely to experience significant disruption or rescheduling in the weeks ahead. Anyone affected will be contacted by the hospital.
Patients are asked to help ease the pressure by avoiding the hospital on strike days unless their illness or injury is an emergency. Those with complex or long term medical conditions are urged to make sure they have a supply of medication.
Related story: Everything you need to know about the junior doctors' strike
Other services like GPs, pharmacists, the NHS 111 hotline or NHS Choices website may be able to help. For more information visit: www.nhs.uk/staywell
Out-of-hours urgent GP care is available in West Cheshire after 6.30pm on weekdays, at weekends and bank holidays by phoning 01244 385300. This service is for those with urgent healthcare needs. If your concern relates to a child under 12, you will always be offered a face-to-face appointment.
Countess managers: 'Our junior doctors are important'
The Countess makes clear it has no beef with its workforce in what is a national dispute.
A spokesperson said: “Junior doctors are an important part of the Countess workforce, with approximately 230 working from our Chester and Ellesmere Port hospitals. While the majority are not employed directly by the trust, hospital clinicians play a key role in supporting their education and professional development after graduating from university.
“These contract negotiations are a national issue, however locally the Trust will continue to provide a supportive environment for its junior doctors – looking after both their health and wellbeing and the safety of our patients.”
