Resident Doctors' Strike Leads to Significant Cancellations of Hospital Appointments

Strategic Insights -

Resident doctors took to the picket lines between Friday, July 25, and Tuesday, July 29, resulting in hundreds of appointments cancelled across hospital trusts' regions. The NHS data shows that nearly 1,500 appointments had to be rescheduled in total across Nottinghamshire's two hospital trusts, Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) and Sherwood Forest Hospitals. The cancellations had a ripple effect on patient care, with many appointments pushed back or rescheduled.

Key Takeaways:

  • The strike led to the cancellation of nearly 1,500 appointments across Nottinghamshire's two hospital trusts, with a significant number of these being outpatient appointments.
  • On the first day of the strike, NUH cancelled 12 inpatient and 200 outpatient appointments, while Sherwood Forest Hospitals rescheduled 12 inpatient and 133 outpatient appointments.
  • The cancellations increased over the final two days of the strike, with 32 inpatients and 223 outpatients being rescheduled on the final day.
  • Across the UK, a total of 54,095 inpatient and outpatient appointments were rescheduled, an improvement on 2024 when there were strikes at a similar time of the year.
  • An estimated additional 11,071 appointments and procedures went ahead during the strike, with 1,243 fewer staff absent on average each day.
  • The NHS data highlights the significant impact of the strike on hospital operations, with many patients affected by the cancellations.

Statistics:

  • 1,500: Total number of appointments rescheduled across Nottinghamshire's two hospital trusts.
  • 12: Number of inpatient appointments cancelled on the first day of the strike at NUH.
  • 200: Number of outpatient appointments cancelled on the first day of the strike at NUH.
  • 12: Number of inpatient appointments rescheduled on the Friday of the strike at Sherwood Forest Hospitals.
  • 133: Number of outpatient appointments rescheduled on the Friday of the strike at Sherwood Forest Hospitals.
  • 32: Number of inpatients rescheduled on the final day of the strike at NUH.
  • 223: Number of outpatients rescheduled on the final day of the strike at NUH.
  • 54,095: Total number of inpatient and outpatient appointments rescheduled across the UK.
  • 11,071: Estimated additional appointments and procedures that went ahead during the strike.
  • 1,243: Average number of staff absent each day during the strike.

Sources:

  • NHS data
  • Joseph Connolly, Local Democracy Reporter