Patients throughout the county are being urged to follow the advice when accessing healthcare services amid the junior doctors’ strike, which starts today (August 11) and continues for four days.
Health trusts in Berkshire are advising patients to be aware of what the industrial action will mean for appointments.
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has warned that some appointments will be rescheduled.
A spokesperson said: ““We are very sorry for any inconvenience, but we must ensure we keep patients who are currently in the hospital safe. If we haven’t contacted you to reschedule then please attend your appointment as planned.
“We are doing everything we can to prioritise patients with the highest clinical needs, including patients who have already waited a long time for their treatment.
“Please be patient and understanding with our staff, they are working as hard as possible to care for you and keep you safe.”
The spokesperson added the Emergency Department is likely to be very busy during the strike, and patients in genuine need of emergency care will be prioritised.
Patients with less serious conditions are warned to expect a long wait.
The strikes come amid nine months of NHS industrial action. Consultants are also set to strike later this month on August 25 and August 25.
Professor Philip Banfield, council chair at the BMA, which represents junior doctors, said: “Throughout this year’s industrial action by doctors in England we have prioritised patient safety.
“During junior doctors’ strikes senior clinicians have provided emergency cover, while consultants themselves have delivered adequate staffing levels to cover any patient requiring emergency care during their own industrial action – as they would on Christmas Day.”
“If people require emergency care during any strikes, they will be seen and should not hesitate in contacting services.
“Employers have had plenty of notice to plan ahead and release other staff from non-urgent care before, during and after each piece of industrial action. And we have clear processes in place, agreed with NHS England which address exceptional circumstances that might mean it is necessary for striking doctors to return to work.
“It is important to recognise that during both sets of action, GPs have continued to see thousands of patients each day and members of the wider healthcare team remained at work throughout the NHS.”
