April 25, 2016 1.49 pm This story is over 94 months old

Over 700 appointments cancelled at Lincolnshire’s hospitals ahead of junior doctors’ strike

More than 700 appointments have been postponed at Lincolnshire’s hospitals as junior doctors prepare to strike on Tuesday and Wednesday. The two-day strike will begin at 8am on Tuesday, April 26 as junior doctors continue to protest against the decision by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to enforce hotly disputed changes to their pay and conditions.…

More than 700 appointments have been postponed at Lincolnshire’s hospitals as junior doctors prepare to strike on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The two-day strike will begin at 8am on Tuesday, April 26 as junior doctors continue to protest against the decision by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to enforce hotly disputed changes to their pay and conditions.

This will be the fifth occasion junior doctors have gone out on strike this year, but the first time that they will not be providing emergency cover in NHS history.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has confirmed that 745 outpatient appointments and 18 operations have been postponed.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Chief operating officer Mark Brassington said that the trust will prioritise patients with the greatest health needs and emergency care.

He said: “Patient safety is our number one priority. We aim to keep disruption to patients to a minimum.

“We have contacted every patient whose appointment is cancelled to re-book. Any patient who has not been contacted should attend their appointment as planned.

“Our emergency care services will be open but are expected to be busy. Therefore we ask all members of the public to help us by using alternatives to A&E unless it is a recent accident or an emergency.

“Before coming to A&E we would urge people to call 111, or visit their GP, pharmacist, walk in centre or their urgent care centre.”