Consultants and Junior Doctors' industrial action at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Junior doctors and consultants – including those at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust – will be taking industrial action this week.

BMA consultants are taking part in a two-day strike from 7am on Tuesday 19 September to 7am Thursday 21 September.  Junior doctors are taking part in a three-day strike from 7am on Wednesday 20 September to 7am on Saturday 23 September.

In a statement, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust said: "This upcoming industrial action is unprecedented in that there will be a crossover point where consultants and junior doctors are on strike at the same time. This is highly likely to have a significant impact on hospital services."

"Our number one priority is to continue to ensure the safety of our patients as well as looking after the welfare and wellbeing of our colleagues. This will mean some necessary changes to the services that we are able to provide during and potentially after the strike."

"Whilst we are seeking to keep as many services, in our hospitals, in our community sites and in people's homes, operating as possible, including all emergency and essential services, we have had to postpone a large number of planned outpatient appointments and elective procedures. Some appointments before and after the days of the industrial action may also be affected. All patients impacted by this will be contacted directly and rescheduled as soon as we can."

Raghuv Bhasin, Chief Operating Officer at the Trust, said: "The strike will have a significant impact on our services. We have had to cancel large volumes of planned care and our urgent and emergency care services will be under pressure, in particular our Emergency Department at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Our colleagues there are working exceptionally hard and have to prioritise the most urgent patients.

"If you attend the ED and your condition is less serious, you will likely face long waits, or be asked to find help elsewhere such as at a local pharmacy, the Urgent Care Centre at Wycombe Hospital or your GP where additional cover is being provided. If you need medical help, but are not sure where to go, please visit NHS 111 either online or by phone. They can provide advice and direct you to the best place for the care you need.

"Our staff are working extremely hard during a very challenging time, so my final plea to the public is please do treat them with respect. Thank you for your understanding."