NHS Trusts Apologize for Delays due to Doctors' Strike

Strategic Insights -

The West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, which runs West Suffolk Hospital and Newmarket Community Hospital, has apologized to patients whose appointments or procedures were delayed as a result of recent strike action. The trust undertook comprehensive planning ahead of the five-day strike called by the British Medical Association (BMA), a union representing all doctors and medical students, in an effort to minimize disruptions. Despite the strike, the trust was able to maintain a large number of elective procedures and reschedule a significant number of appointments and procedures that were affected. The trust's deputy chief operating officer, Matt Keeling, acknowledged the impact of the strike on patients and expressed gratitude to the trust's staff for their dedication and hard work.

Key Takeaways:

  • The West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust apologized to every patient whose appointment or procedure was delayed due to the recent doctors' strike.
  • The trust was able to maintain a large number of elective procedures throughout the five-day strike, thanks to robust planning and staff dedication.
  • A significant number of appointments and procedures that were affected were rescheduled.
  • The BMA called for a pay increase of 26% for resident doctors, who were previously known as junior doctors.
  • The strike started at 7am on Friday, July 25 and finished at 7am on Wednesday, July 30.
  • The trust's chief executive, Matt Keeling, expressed gratitude to the trust's staff for their hard work and dedication during the strike.
  • The British Medical Association (BMA) reached a pay deal with the Government in September following previous rounds of strike action.

Statistics:

  • 5 days: length of the strike called by the British Medical Association (BMA)
  • 26%: pay increase demanded by the BMA for resident doctors
  • 7am on Friday, July 25: start of the strike
  • 7am on Wednesday, July 30: end of the strike
  • Large number: number of elective procedures maintained by the trust during the strike

Sources:

  • "NHS trust apologises to every patient whose appointment or procedure was delayed as a result of strike action." [1]
  • "British Medical Association (BMA) reaches pay deal with Government in September." [2]
  • "Patient safety is our priority and I would like to thank our staff who have made sure that our patients were safe during this time, while showing kindness and respect to their colleagues, whatever decision they had taken about industrial action." [3]

[1] https://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/18328903.nhs-trust-apologises-patients-delays-due-strike-action/

[2] https://www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opinion/press-releases/2023/september/pay-deal-government

[3] https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2023/esneft-manages-cancelled-operations-through-strike