Milton Keynes Hospital is set to face 'some disruption' this week as junior doctors strike, with NHS bosses urging local people to choose health and care services 'wisely'.
Up to 47,600 junior doctors are staging a four-day strike from today (Tuesday 11th April) until the early hours of Saturday 15th April.
The CEO of Milton Keynes University Hospital has said that there will be 'some disruption to planned care' and that some patients can expect their appointments to be changed.
Members of the British Medical Association (BMA) union are striking primarily over pay, with the BMA stating that the wage for junior doctors has fallen 26% in the last 15 years.
The union has demanded a 35% pay rise for junior doctors to bring salaries back to 2008-2009 levels, Sky News.
Local NHS bosses from Bedfordshire, Luton and MK have been urging local people 'choose health and care services wisely' this week.
"We are urging our local population to choose health and care services wisely and take simple steps to ensure care is available to patients who need it most," a spokesperson said.
"This includes using 111 Online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to attend Emergency Departments only if it is a life-threatening emergency."
GP practices and pharmacies will be running as usual during the strike.
There will be some disruption to planned care - please see @MKHospital for the latest news. If your appt has been changed you will have been contacted. You can contact me direct with any concerns at Joe.harrison@mkuh.nhs.uk thanks again to #TeamMKUH who are always first class 2/2
— Joe Harrison (@JoeHMK) April 10, 2023
"We are heading into a busy & challenging few days across the NHS," Joe Harrison, CEO of Milton Keynes Hospital tweeted last night (Monday 10 April)
"Our junior drs are a vital, valued part of our team and taking industrial action a tough decision. Grateful to our consultants, SAS colleagues & multi-professional teams delivering and supporting patient care."
"There will be some disruption to planned care - please see Milton Keynes Hospital for the latest news. If your appointment has been changed you will have been contacted. You can contact me direct with any concerns at Joe.harrison@mkuh.nhs.uk thanks again to Team MKUH who are always first class."
