Junior doctors to hold first strike

HEALTH bosses at Rotherham Hospital have pledged to continue providing "high quality" care during tomorrow's (Tuesday's) strike by junior doctors.

The BMA said there would be a strike for 24-hours from 8am tomorrow (January 12) by all junior doctors, except those on call to provide emergency cover.

Rotherham, NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said three clinics, involving 33 patients, have been cancelled but added there was no plans to cancel operations.

A spokesman said patients should attend medical appointments as planned unless they have been informed otherwise.

Conrad Wareham, the trust’s medical director said: “Our priority is to deliver safe care to our patients and we aim to deliver the maximum service possible while respecting that some of our colleagues do wish to take industrial action.

“It is important that our patients make every attempt to come to their appointments so that we can continue to deliver high quality care.”

The trust said it would contact patients should it become necessary for it to cancel any further appointments or procedures.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said junior doctors would take strike action for the first time in 40 years after the latest round of negotiations in the long-running row ended last week.

There will also be a 48-hour strike, which will also not involve doctors on emergency cover, from 8am on Tuesday, January 26.

All junior doctors will walk out on strike between 8am and 5pm on Wednesday, February 10.