“We have been informed by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) that strike action will be taking place at Bradford Teaching Hospitals on Thursday, 15 and Tuesday, 20 December.
“Unfortunately this will have an impact on some of our service areas, wherever possible we have switched outpatient appointments to telephone or video appointments.
“If patients have not been contacted, they should attend their appointments as normal. We have been contacting patients whose appointments are impacted due to strike action. We will be re-arranging any postponed appointments as a priority.
“We understand this situation is frustrating for patients affected and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
“During strike action, urgent and emergency treatment will be our priority. Regardless of any 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 – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
“We have been working tirelessly to minimise the disruption to our services and our aim is to seek support to deliver as much urgent outpatient, diagnostics and treatments, including cancer care, as possible. Through engagement, which is continuing, with the RCN we have agreed derogations: these are exemptions, either of an individual or a whole service, from taking part in strike actions.
“We value our colleagues and want to see a resolution as soon as possible to the national industrial action.”
Sajid Azeb, Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Chief Executive at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS England » Information for the public on industrial action
- On days where there is strike action, patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency (when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk).
- Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS111 online or through calling NHS 111. For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, please visit the NHS UK website.
- GP appointments and mental wellbeing services and support will run as normal, so people should come forward if required to use these.