As you may be aware, the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) gained a national mandate for industrial action in the form of a strike by junior doctors.
As a result, we anticipate that junior doctors at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust will be taking industrial action on 13, 14 and 15 March 2023.
Please rest assured that our teams are working hard to ensure robust systems are in place so that safe care for patients continues to be delivered during any potential industrial action.
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.
On days where there is strike action, patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency [when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk].
Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS111 online or through NHS 111, and where possible, it is advised that you arrange alternative transport.
For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.
If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
FAQs
What is happening?
Trade unions representing NHS staff are in dispute with the Government over the 2022/23 pay award. A number of the unions have balloted their NHS members to take part in industrial action. As a result, junior doctor members of the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) are expected to be striking on 13, 14 and 15 March 2023.
The NHS wants to see a resolution as soon as possible, but pay is a matter for the Government and the trade unions.
What if I need urgent or emergency care?
Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the right care for them.
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 or attending A&E.
What do strikes mean for NHS services in my area?
All hospitals will be affected by the industrial action, however, the ambulance service is not affected.
What if I have an appointment on a strike day?
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless your local NHS provider has contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment even if your Trust is affected by strikes.
Will emergency care be affected on strike days?
Emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country. It is really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or their life is at risk patients continue to come forward as normal.
When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?
The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a letter or phone call, and you should be offered an alternative date for your appointment.
If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
Is there anything I should do now?
No, the NHS 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.