South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS services to be disrupted next week due to strikes

The STSFT are asking the public for help to ease the pressure on the NHS during strikes.
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South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) are preparing for three days of disruption to NHS services next week - and are asking for the public’s support.

The disruption is due to three days of industrial action by British Medical Association (BMA) members, as junior doctors across the region will strike for 72 hours from Monday, March 13 at 7am until Thursday, March 16 at 7am.

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This strike action will be the longest that the NHS has been affected by this year so far, and residents of South Tyneside and Sunderland are being advised of the disruption to the frontline health service taking place next week.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust are asking the public for support during the strikes.South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust are asking the public for support during the strikes.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust are asking the public for support during the strikes.

STSFT have been preparing in advance for the strike, understanding the potential impact it may have on local residents and putting plans in place to reduce the disruption as much as possible.

Patients appointments that will be affected by the strike action have been contacted directly, however STSFT has ensured that if patients haven’t been contacted by text message or phone call to attend a pre-arranged appointment as usual.

Emergency and urgent care services will remain open, however STSFT are asking for the public’s support by easing the current extreme pressures on the Emergency Departments in South Tyneside and Sunderland.

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Those in need of urgent care are urged to use NHS111 online or telephone to be assessed and directed to the care suitable for them. However, if a life is at risk, emergency care should be contacted as usual by dialling 999.

Dr Shaz Wahid, Medical Director at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust said: “We know that any disruption to patient care is frustrating and we have been working hard to minimise the impact of this.

Our essential services will be running as usual, but we do need to rearrange some non-urgent, routine appointments. Patients with planned appointments next week should attend as normal unless they are contacted directly by the Trust.

“We need local people in South Tyneside and Sunderland to be aware of the huge pressures that the NHS will be under next week, even more so than normal. Our services will be very busy, so please support us and think of using your local pharmacy and NHS 111 if you need urgent help or advice. We also ask everyone to be kind to our staff who continue to work under significant pressure.”