Significant disruptions to NHS services in the South East are expected this week as consultants and junior doctors will jointly stage industrial action for a period of 72 hours.

The British Medical Association and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association have announced that consultants and junior doctors will strike from 7am today (2/10) until 7am on Thursday October 5.

During this period, both junior doctors and consultants will deliver ‘Christmas Day’ levels of staffing only, meaning that, while emergency care will be provided for those in need, routine hospital services will be severely affected.

These latest rounds of strikes come only days after a set of strike action at the end of September, which saw consultants and junior doctors striking together for the first time.

NHS South East Medical Director, Vaughan Lewis, said “Thank you your continued patience during the ongoing industrial action.

“Please continue to follow to our advice about using NHS services during the strikes to make sure care is available for those most in need.

“Please use NHS 111 online, contact your GP surgery or visit your pharmacist as a first instance for medical support unless it is a life-threatening situation, when you should call 999 as usual.”

The last period of joint action resulted in nearly 10,000 staff striking across NHS organisations across the South East from Tuesday September 19 to Saturday September 23. During the same period, there were also more than 15,000 patient appointments rescheduled..

In line with the strike action taking place over the coming days, people are being encouraged to use NHS services responsibly to help the NHS during what will be a challenging time.

If you or a loved one needs medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether to go to hospital, then please use NHS 111 online. GP services and pharmacies will also be available for patients and can be accessed in the normal way during the strike action. The NHS will prioritise emergency care and people should continue to use 999 in life threatening emergencies.

Planned and routine non-urgent care is expected to be disrupted during the strikes. If you have a pre-booked NHS appointment, then please attend as planned unless you have been contacted to say that the appointment has been rearranged.

In addition, the Society of Radiographers has announced that radiographers will strike for 24 hours from 8am on Tuesday 3 October to 8 am Wednesday October 4. In the South East, this will affect a few Trusts only:

• Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
• Solent NHS Trust
• Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Ends

Note to editors: South Regional Medical Director, Vaughan Lewis is available for interviews tomorrow between 10.30am-12.30pm. Please email england.secomms@nhs.net