From Monday 13th March until Thursday 16th March junior doctors, across England, will be taking industrial action for 72-hours starting at 7am.
All NHS Trusts across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) will be affected to varying degrees together with a number of GP training practices, this includes the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust which is used by Wokingham residents.
The message from Royal Berkshire Hospital if you are a patient with a booked appointment during the industrial action: "If you do not hear from us, you should come in as planned.
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust may need to reschedule some routine and non-urgent appointments and procedures on 13, 14, or 15 March and if that’s the case they will contact you directly in advance to re-arrange your date.
Advice for all residents during strike action:
Wokingham Borough residents who need care should continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-saving cases.
Call 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency; emergency departments are for medical emergencies only, to help those most in need. An emergency is if somebody is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk like: a heart attack, stroke, having difficulty breathing, or a seizure.
If you’re not sure where to get help and support, please contact NHS 111 who will give you advice.
Your local Pharmacy or GP can help with non-emergency care.
Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West Integrated Care Board ((BOB ICB) who are a group of organisations that come together to plan and deliver health and care services for people who live and work in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West))
have told Healthwatch:
"The NHS wants to see a resolution as soon as possible to the strikes, but ultimately pay is a matter for the Government and the trade unions.
Maintaining safe patient care is our priority, however we recognise and respect the right of NHS staff to take part in lawful industrial action and will work collaboratively with staff and union partners to minimise the effects on patients and staff. "
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust have said in a statement:
"We recognise and respect the democratic right of our staff to take part in lawful industrial action. We are working with them and the BMA to minimise the impact on patients, visitors, and staff. Thank you for your understanding."
You can share your views about strike action and your experiences of NHS care during strike action online, here. You can also call us on 0118 418 1418 or
email enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk.