Andy Munns
Salisbury District Hospital has issued a statement as the longest NHS strike in history begins.
The six-day strike began at 7 am this morning (3rd January) and runs through to Tuesday next week (9th January).
The statement said, “During these days Salisbury Hospital will be very busy, but will continue to focus on providing safe patient care. Our teams will continue to ensure patient safety and maintain critical services.
“During these periods please consider alternatives such as your GP, local pharmacy, and out of hours, the Salisbury Walk-in Centre. If you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital you can visit NHS 111 online or by telephone.
“Patients should only call 999 or attend A&E if it is an urgent or life-threatening health emergency.
“Regardless of the industrial 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 and our services will be there for these people.
“If people attend our A&E Department with a minor injury or concern please be patient as the wait may be longer than usual as critical cases will be prioritised.
“If you have an appointment at the hospital and we have not contacted you directly, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled.”
The action follows the breakdown of pay talks last month between the government and the British Medical Association.
The BMA says the profession needs to be better-valued.
Dr Amanda Webb, Chief Medical Officer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Our local NHS remains in a very challenging position, with many colleagues feeling exhausted after pulling out all the stops to keep services running during the last strike, and then going straight into the busy Christmas and New Year period.
“This latest strike, which at six days is the longest period of industrial action to date, means more disruption is on the way, and that the overall impact will be felt long after the picket line has ended.
“We desperately need people to get behind us, as they did throughout December, and show their support through the appropriate use of our local health and care services.
“Pharmacies and GP practices are now open as normal, and NHS 111 continues to provide quick, practical and easy-to-understand healthcare information either online or over the telephone.”
