Junior doctors have started a three-day strike ahead of a week of walkouts which will include one of the biggest days of industrial action for years.
Members of the British Medical Association (BMA) and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) walked out at 7am today (Monday) for 72 hours. The strike ends at 7am on Thursday.
The BMA launched an advertising campaign which said junior doctors could earn more money “serving coffee than saving patients”.
The York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs York Hospital, said measures are in place to ensure urgent medical care would continue.
A trust spokesperson said: “During strike action, urgent and emergency treatment will be our priority. We are working closely with union representatives to ensure plans are in place to maintain safe care for patients, while facilitating and respecting the right of those staff who wish to take legal industrial action.
“Please be assured that you can continue to access care from our emergency departments and maternity services, and critical services for our inpatients.”
Some appointments will be postponed and patients will be contacted ahead of time.
“We will be re-arranging any postponed appointments as a priority. We appreciate this situation is frustrating for patients affected and apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said the trust.
Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS111 online or through calling NHS 111.
Other strike action lined up this week includes another walkout by the RMT on Thursday and Saturday at a number of train operators including LNER and TransPennine Express.
Elsewhere, London Underground workers are striking on Wednesday, and Amazon staff in Coventry are set to down tools all week.
Your questions answered
These are the Q&As from the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust website.
What if I have an appointment on a strike day?
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless we have contacted you to reschedule.
When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?
We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a text or phone call. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
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If my appointment is rescheduled, will I be put back to the bottom of the waiting list?
Any appointments that need to be rescheduled will be done so as a priority.
Is there anything I should do now?
No, we will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes?
No, if we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
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