Patients asked to play their part as hospital doctors begin 5-day strike

Hospital chiefs in Sunderland are calling on people to do their bit in supporting the NHS as resident doctors begin a five-day strike.

- by Tom Patterson

Patients are being urged to help Sunderland Royal Hospital through the doctors' strike.

The call comes as resident doctors were due to stay away from the wards from 7am this morning until 7am on Monday, December 22.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) - which runs Sunderland Royal Infirmary - says patients can play a key role as it deals with the effects of the action and a fast rising number of flu cases.

It says plans are in place to deal with the action - which is taking place at the busiest time of the year-with hospital and community teams prepared for the increased pressure on services.