25.11.2011
Industrial Action on Wednesday 30th November 2011
You may have heard on the national news that a number of public sector unions have voted in favour of strike action to take place on Wednesday 30th November 2011.
The Newcastle Hospitals is working hard to minimise any disruption to patient care which this planned action may cause and are committed to ensuring that all essential and urgent health services will be provided including:
- emergency care including emergency x-rays and minor injury services
- cancer treatment
- renal dialysis
- maternity services
- district nursing
Our outpatient clinics for adults and children will take place as planned at both the Freeman Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary, although due to reduced staffing in our diagnostic services such as x-ray, some patients may be required to return for further investigations if they are not felt to be urgent on the day. We will do all we can to minimise any inconvenience wherever possible.
With regard to patient transport, due to constraints on the North East Ambulance Service, their patient transport service (PTS) will only be provided for high dependency patients, ie. those receiving renal dialysis, cancer care and palliative treatment. This means that if you have an outpatient appointment for 30th November and are usually brought in by ambulance, you will either be required to arrange alternative transport or to reschedule your appointment for another day. The Ambulance Service will write to patients with appointments on 30th November to clarify whether transport will be available, or whether alternative arrangements will need to be made.
If you haven't been contacted before 30th November to be advised that your appointment has been rearranged, then please come along as expected.
Please keep visiting our website for more information, which we will update on a regular basis. If you have any immediate enquiries, please get in touch with the contact given on your appointment letter. Alternatively, contact our Switchboard on 0191 233 6161 where your call will be directed to the appropriate departmental manager.
