The British Medical Association has announced that junior doctors will be taking part in a new round of national industrial action from 7am on Wednesday 20 December 2023 until 7am on Saturday 23 December 2023. Further strikes from 7am on Wednesday 3 January 2024 until 7am on Tuesday 9 January 2024 have also been announced. As per previous messages, this will significantly impact services at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Our staff are working hard to ensure we can continue to provide both emergency care for the most seriously ill and injured patients, as well as maternity services and care on the wards for our patients.
Regardless of any strike 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.
Everyone who has a hospital appointment from 20 to 23 December 2023 or from 3 to 9 January 2024 should attend as planned, unless we have contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal. We will be rearranging any postponed appointments as a priority.
During this time we need patients to help us by using our services wisely and taking simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only attend our Emergency Department if it is a life-threatening emergency.
Thank you for your patience and understanding at this challenging time.
FAQs
What if I have an appointment on a strike day?
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned unless we have contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal.
If your appointment is cancelled due to the industrial action, we will contact you to rebook it as soon as possible. Please be patient with us whilst we work to recover our services – we will be in touch with you.
Is there anything I should do now?
No, we will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes?
No, if we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
What if I need urgent or emergency care?
Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online to be assessed and directed to the right care for them. If you do not have internet access then 111 helpline is available. When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999.
What should I do if I need an ambulance?
Patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, and there is risk to life. Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate.
For all other health care needs, support will be available through NHS111 online (if you do not have internet access then 111 helpline is available) or at your local GP or pharmacy.