Patients in Luton are being urged to use NHS services carefully as a new round of strike action by junior doctors is set to cause significant disruption at Luton & Dunstable Hospital from this Friday.
The British Medical Association has confirmed that resident doctors will walk out from 7am on Friday 14 November until 7am on Wednesday 19 November. The action is part of an ongoing national dispute over pay and working conditions.
The strikes are expected to be among the most disruptive yet, coming ahead of what is already a busy winter period for the NHS.
Hospital leaders say they are working to maintain emergency and maternity services, along with essential ward care for inpatients, but warned that other areas will be hit. Patients with hospital appointments during the strike period are being asked to attend as planned unless they are contacted directly to rearrange.
A statement from the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Our staff are working hard to ensure we can continue to provide emergency care for the most seriously ill and injured patients, as well as maternity services and ward care.
“Regardless of any strike action, it’s really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases.”
Residents are being asked to help reduce pressure on local hospitals by using NHS 111 online as their first option for advice, and only attending A&E for life-threatening emergencies.
“We’re asking patients to help us by using services wisely and taking simple steps to ensure care is available for those who need it most,” the Trust added.
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