Plea as docs go on strike (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Plea as docs go on strike

8:30am Thursday 21st June 2012 in Wiltshire

Health chiefs are urging people to attend emergency departments at hospitals today only if it is absolutely necessary, because of a doctors’ strike.

The emergency departments at the Royal United Hospital (RUH), Bath; Great Western Hospital, Swindon; and Salisbury District Hospital will be open today and will treat emergency cases.

Some routine outpatient appointments and non-urgent operations have been cancelled at the three hospitals, including fewer than 40 at the RUH.

Cancer treatment will go ahead at the hospitals.

The 24-hour strike has been called by the British Medical Association (BMA) in protest at Government reforms of doctors’ pensions, which will result in doctors contributing more and retiring later.

None of the 58 GP practices in Wiltshire will be closed today, but 12 have cancelled routine appointments.

They are: Beversbrook, Calne; Bourne Valley, Ludgershall; Box Surgery; Cricklade Surgery; Jubilee Fields, Yatton Keynell; Marlborough Practice; Spa, Melksham; St Ann Street, Salisbury; St James Surgery, Devizes; The Orchard Partnership, Salisbury; Tinkers Lane, Royal Wootton Bassett; and Wilton Health Centre.

A spokesman for NHS Wiltshire said: “Every GP practice will see any patient that needs urgent or emergency care on the day, regardless of whether they are taking industrial action or not.

“NHS Wiltshire advises people not to attend hospital emergency departments on Thursday, June 21, unless really necessary.

“The GP practice should still be a patient’s first point of contact.

“The out-of-hours service will be working as usual for people who urgently need medical or dental help after 6.30pm and before 8am.”