Hospital Services in North Cumbria Set to Be Affected by Resident Doctor Strikes
Hospital services in north Cumbria are set to be affected by industrial action by resident doctors.
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust said the action will run for four days, starting at 7am on Monday, June 15, and ending at 6.59am on Friday, June 19.
The trust said it has made detailed plans to keep patients and staff safe and reduce the impact on services as far as possible.
Most planned operations and outpatient appointments are expected to go ahead.
Patients are being told to attend appointments as normal unless they are contacted directly by the NHS to say their appointment has been rearranged.
Emergency Care Still Available
The trust said people with urgent or life-threatening issues will always be prioritised.
This means patients should still call 999 or attend emergency departments if someone is seriously ill, badly injured or their life is at risk.
However, people with non-urgent needs may face longer waits during the strike period.
The trust is asking the public to use services carefully while fewer clinicians are on duty.
Advice for Patients
Patients who have not been contacted about a change to their appointment should still attend as planned.
Those who are unsure which service they need are being advised to use NHS 111 online.
People are also being asked to consider alternatives to emergency departments where suitable, such as GP practices or pharmacies.
The trust said the public can help by only using 999 and emergency departments for genuine life-threatening illness or injury.
Planned Operations and Outpatients
The majority of planned operations and outpatient appointments are expected to be maintained during the industrial action.
If an appointment or operation needs to be rearranged, the patient will be contacted directly.
The trust has stressed that people should not assume their appointment has been cancelled.
This is intended to help avoid missed appointments and unnecessary delays for patients whose care is still going ahead.
Discharge Support
Relatives and loved ones of hospital inpatients are also being asked to help where possible.
The trust said families may be able to support patients who are ready to be discharged, helping them return home sooner.
This can help free up beds and support hospital flow during a period when services may be under extra pressure.
Trust Apologises for Longer Waits
Dr Adrian Clements, executive medical director at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said the trust is committed to keeping services safe during the industrial action.
He asked people to use services thoughtfully and reserve urgent and emergency care for situations that are truly critical.
He said some patients may face extended waiting times because fewer clinicians will be on duty, and apologised for this.
The trust thanked patients and the public for their understanding and support.
Hospitals Covered by the Trust
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust runs hospital and community services across north Cumbria.
Its hospitals include the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.
The trust also operates a number of community hospitals and services across the area.
Patients with questions about appointments are advised to use the contact details on their appointment letter.
