London’s NHS chief warned that the doctors’ strike will “take a toll” on patients as a five-day walk-out starts in the run-up to Christmas.
Dr Chris Streather, Medical Director for NHS London, also stressed that the industrial action by resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors, would spoil the festive period for other health service staff who would have to cover for them.
The latest walk-out, from 7am on Wednesday 17 December until 7am on Monday 22, comes as the NHS is having to cope with an unprecedented wave of super flu which has ripped through London.
“These strikes come at a challenging time for the NHS and this industrial action will no doubt take a toll on patients and NHS staff in London, and across the country,” said Dr Streather.
“We know strikes come with a cost but will also mean that hard-working NHS colleagues, who have worked so hard this year on NHS recovery, will be deprived of Christmas with their families, with many now likely to be called in on their well-earned days off.”
Plans have been put in place by NHS chiefs to continue life-saving care but other treatment and operations may be cancelled.
Dr Streather added: “We are doing all we can to limit the cancellation of appointments and patients should continue to use NHS services in the usual way.
“Londoners should attend their appointments unless told otherwise.”
The NHS bosses are advising patients that for non-life-threatening care, they should:
• Use the NHS app
• Call NHS 111 or use 111 online
• Visit your local pharmacist or GP
For emergencies:
• Dial 999 or attend A&E for life-threatening conditions and serious injuries
GP practices and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available throughout the strike period.
Up to half of the NHS medical workforce in England could take part in the industrial action and London hospitals could be particularly affected as a number of them are teaching centres so have a high number of resident doctors.
Hopes that the strike, which is largely about pay, could be averted were dashed on Monday when members of the British Medical Association rejected a fresh offer from the Government which included steps to improve doctors’ career paths.
Ministers have slammed the strike as “reckless” and “irresponsible” as the number of patients with flu in London hospitals jumped 47% in just a week, from 259 to 380, the highest ever recorded for this time of year.
Some 1.87 million Londoners had had the flu vaccine as of December 7 but health chiefs are seeking to get this figure over two million by Christmas.
London’s Chief Nurse, Karen Bonner, said: “I would urge anyone eligible for the vaccine to please book an appointment or visit a walk-in site as soon as possible.
“Vaccination is the best protection against getting potentially very ill and it also helps protect those around you.”
People aged 65 and over, pregnant women, children and individuals with certain health conditions which make them vulnerable can have the flu jab for free on the NHS.
They can get the vaccine at a number of walk-in centres or events across the capital.
They can also walk into pharmacies and have their flu jab on the day, with 757 sites offering this service on the NHS walk-in finder.
People who are not eligible for a free flu vaccine can pay £15 to £20 to get it at a local pharmacy.
