This walkout comes during one of the busiest weeks of the year for hospitals as services see increased winter pressures in the run-up to Christmas.
The Trust is working closely with its senior medical workforce, including consultants and specialty doctors, to ensure safe staffing is maintained throughout the period of industrial action.
The focus remains on keeping patients and staff safe. Emergency and life-preserving services will continue as usual, and teams are working hard to minimise the postponement of planned care.
We are asking the public to continue supporting the NHS by using services wisely during this period.
How to use services wisely:
- Only use 999 or our Emergency Department for life-threatening conditions such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, symptoms of stroke, or severe bleeding
- Use NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) or call 111 for urgent medical concerns that are not emergencies
- Continue to attend medical appointments unless you are contacted directly by the hospital to reschedule
- Cancel any NHS appointments you cannot attend using the contact number on your appointment letter
- For urgent mental health concerns, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option
- Speak to your GP or local pharmacist for non-urgent health issues
Dr Rebecca Martin, Medical Director at The QEH, said: “Our teams are working incredibly hard to maintain safe and effective services during this challenging week. We thank our patients for their patience and understanding.
“We also ask the public to continue showing kindness and respect to our staff, including those making rescheduling calls. They are doing everything they can to minimise disruption.”
Ends. Notes to editors; For media enquiries only, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216. For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.
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