WARRINGTON and Halton Hospitals NHS FT has advised today that arrangements are in place to keep disruption to patients to an absolute minimum during the Junior Doctor’s strike planned for tomorrow, Wednesday (Feb 10).
During this time junior doctors will be providing Bank Holiday cover only while consultants and other healthcare professionals will be working differently to deliver patient care during the strike.
No elective procedures have been cancelled but a small number of out-patient appointments have been cancelled but all of these patients have been contacted directly.
Patients are advised that unless they have heard from the hospital directly they should present as normal for their appointment or procedure.
Emergency care remains unaffected, however patients/members of the public are advised NOT to use A&E unless it is an absolute emergency.
The hospital has activated its Full Capacity Protocol and adult patients presenting at A&E with minor conditions or injuries will be transported by the Red Cross to our Urgent Care Centre at Halton General Hospital.
Options for minor injuries or ailments are as follows:
•See your local pharmacist
•Call your GP
•Call NHS111
•Travel to Urgent Care Centres at Halton General Hospital WA7 2DA or Widnes Oaks Place WA8 7GD
1 Comment
For anyone with serious problems Wed would have been the best day to have needed A&E – instead of it being run by junior doctors with possibly one consultant or consultants available via phone calls you would have most likely been seen by a fully trained consultant or very experienced senior nurse – either of which would be better than the norm.
What is needed is more experienced consultants working on A&E all the time. The junior doctors, as well as lack of experience are working far too long shifts – this isn’t good for patients!