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BMA junior doctors' industrial action: December 2023
The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced its junior doctors’ members will strike from 7am on Wednesday, 20 December 2023 until 7am on Saturday, 23 December 2023. There will be further strike action from 7am on Wednesday, 3 January until 7am on Tuesday, 9 January 2024.
This means that during these periods, junior doctors will be striking at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. This is part of a national dispute over pay and working conditions and does not reflect a conflict between the Trust and its staff.
Throughout this industrial action, our key focus will be on providing safe care for patients who need urgent and emergency services, and those receiving care whilst staying in our hospitals.
What if I have an appointment on a strike day?
We may have to postpone your scheduled appointment or procedure. Should it need to be postponed, we will contact you directly. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal.
Please be patient with us whilst we work to recover our services – we will be in touch with you.
If your appointment has been postponed and you were due to come into hospital using patient transport ambulance services, please let them know.
Will emergency care be affected on strike days?
Our accident and emergency department will be open throughout the strike periods and emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country. However, we anticipate we will be very busy.
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.
As always, we encourage you to think about which is the most appropriate service for your need. There are a range of options to help you, such as your local pharmacy, the NHS 111 service or your GP.
Will maternity services be affected through the strike period?
All time critical maternity services will continue and if you need emergency maternity care during the strike period, then please contact our maternity services on 01284 713278 or dial 999.
Some routine appointments/procedures will need to be postponed. We will contact you directly if you are affected.
Will GP services be affected through the strike period?
GP services will be running on strike days. Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments.
Is there anything I should do now?
No. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
Thank you for your patience and understanding over this period.
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