Nwicker60
14-Jun-12, 14:40
All emergency and core clinical services will continue
ON Thursday 21st June it is anticipated that some doctors across Highland will plan to take part in an 24 hour period of industrial action, following a dispute over NHS changes to the pension scheme.
This follows a decision taken by the British Medical Association (BMA) Council after members were balloted.
In response to the situation NHS Highland can confirm that all emergency services and core clinical services will continue as normal. This includes cancer treatments, renal dialysis, emergency mental health and maternity services. Anyone who is currently receiving a course of daily or weekly treatment will also receive their treatment.
Our priority and responsibility at all times is to ensure we run a safe service. This means we will have to cancel most non urgent activity including outpatient clinics, day surgery and elective surgery scheduled for June 21st.
Within each local areas and departments, however, the level of hospital service provided will be subject to local discussion. Clinical Directors and Managers are liaising with the doctors on an individual basis to discuss what Industrial Action they plan to take. They will then agree the specific details around the level of service that can be safely planned for and provided.
In terms of services provided by GPs surgeries all will be responding to emergency appointments. Arrangements for routine care and appointments will vary between practices. Patients can check with their practice to find out local arrangements.
Elaine Mead, Chief Executive for NHS Highland said: “We are close to confirming the exact level of non urgent and elective services that will be able to safely provide. We will contact any patients directly if their routine appointment or planned admission on 21st June has to be postponed. We are working closely with our staff to clarify all these arrangements.
“While we respect the right of colleagues to take industrial action we would like to reassure patients and the wider public that we have robust business continuity plans and there will be no disruption to emergency services and safe care.”
Dr Alistair Todd, Local BMA Member said: “Our dispute is not with our patients or NHS Highland. We voted overwhelmingly to avoid risk of any harm to patients. On the day of action, patients can be assured that doctors in hospitals and general practice will be in their usual workplaces but will be providing urgent and emergency care only. Regrettably this does mean many non-urgent cases will be postponed. To safely manage this we have been working with managers locally and are planning to postpone any non urgent consultations or routine procedures that can safely be delayed."
Dr Todd added: “Doctors did not take the decision to take industrial action lightly, but we hope that public will understand that we feel we need to take some collective efforts to persuade the Government to return to negotiation."
Planning has already begun to ensure that any patient who has had to be cancelled will be re-booked as a matter of priority.
If patients have any queries or concerns at this stage please contact NHS Highland using the contact telephone number on their appointment letter.
ON Thursday 21st June it is anticipated that some doctors across Highland will plan to take part in an 24 hour period of industrial action, following a dispute over NHS changes to the pension scheme.
This follows a decision taken by the British Medical Association (BMA) Council after members were balloted.
In response to the situation NHS Highland can confirm that all emergency services and core clinical services will continue as normal. This includes cancer treatments, renal dialysis, emergency mental health and maternity services. Anyone who is currently receiving a course of daily or weekly treatment will also receive their treatment.
Our priority and responsibility at all times is to ensure we run a safe service. This means we will have to cancel most non urgent activity including outpatient clinics, day surgery and elective surgery scheduled for June 21st.
Within each local areas and departments, however, the level of hospital service provided will be subject to local discussion. Clinical Directors and Managers are liaising with the doctors on an individual basis to discuss what Industrial Action they plan to take. They will then agree the specific details around the level of service that can be safely planned for and provided.
In terms of services provided by GPs surgeries all will be responding to emergency appointments. Arrangements for routine care and appointments will vary between practices. Patients can check with their practice to find out local arrangements.
Elaine Mead, Chief Executive for NHS Highland said: “We are close to confirming the exact level of non urgent and elective services that will be able to safely provide. We will contact any patients directly if their routine appointment or planned admission on 21st June has to be postponed. We are working closely with our staff to clarify all these arrangements.
“While we respect the right of colleagues to take industrial action we would like to reassure patients and the wider public that we have robust business continuity plans and there will be no disruption to emergency services and safe care.”
Dr Alistair Todd, Local BMA Member said: “Our dispute is not with our patients or NHS Highland. We voted overwhelmingly to avoid risk of any harm to patients. On the day of action, patients can be assured that doctors in hospitals and general practice will be in their usual workplaces but will be providing urgent and emergency care only. Regrettably this does mean many non-urgent cases will be postponed. To safely manage this we have been working with managers locally and are planning to postpone any non urgent consultations or routine procedures that can safely be delayed."
Dr Todd added: “Doctors did not take the decision to take industrial action lightly, but we hope that public will understand that we feel we need to take some collective efforts to persuade the Government to return to negotiation."
Planning has already begun to ensure that any patient who has had to be cancelled will be re-booked as a matter of priority.
If patients have any queries or concerns at this stage please contact NHS Highland using the contact telephone number on their appointment letter.