Strikes to put 'huge pressure' on service

ACTIONS TO CAUSE 'MAJOR DISRUPTION' IN COUNTY

- By JOSEPH BICKLE

Resident doctors join a picket line outside St Thomas' Hospital as members of the British Medical Association take part in a six-day strike action

(WIKTOR SZYMANOWICZ/FUTURE PUBLISHING VIA GETTY IMAGES)

STRIKES began across the country on Tuesday and Surrey NHS Trusts are warning the public that they are expecting “huge pressure” on services.

Resident doctor strikes are due to continue until Monday (April 13).

NHS Trusts across Surrey have said they aim to keep disruption to patients at a minimum, but the public should be aware that staff will be facing increased pressures on their visit to hospitals.

NHS Trusts have said that if you have an appointment booked during the strikes, you should attend as normal, unless you have been contacted by the Trust telling you otherwise.

The strikes come under the backdrop of recent norovirus outbreaks in hospitals, which saw a “critical incident” declared at East Surrey Hospital, restricting all visitation. This was stepped down on Friday (April 2), however the Trust did warn of continued high levels of cases.

In the midst of this, bosses at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals (GESH) had warned of a “triple threat” to services over the Easter holidays, which generally sees higher rates of child injuries.