NHS industrial action in Greater Manchester – Greater Manchester Integrated Care – Friday 15 September 2023
Trade unions representing groups of NHS staff are in dispute with the government
over pay.
What will happen?
We are now entering the 10th month of the most disruptive and significant period of industrial action across the NHS in its 75-year history and staff continue to work tirelessly to provide patients with the best possible care under the circumstances.
For the first time, this action will see junior doctors and hospital consultants striking at the same time, providing “Christmas Day” staffing only.
Four periods of industrial action are planned nationally in the coming weeks and will have a significant impact on services in Greater Manchester:
• Consultants between 7am on Tuesday 19 September to 7am on Thursday, 21 September
• Junior doctors between 7am on Wednesday 20 September to 7am on Saturday 23 September
• Consultants and junior doctors from 7am on Monday 2 October to 7am on Thursday 5 October
• The Society of Radiographers from 8am on Tuesday 3 October to 8am on Wednesday 4 October
This industrial action will see 96 hours of continuous strikes, starting with consultants striking from 7am on Tuesday, 19 September to 7am on Thursday, 21 September and junior doctors striking from 7am on Wednesday 20 September to 7am on Saturday 23 September. This means both groups will strike together on Wednesday, 20 September.
Junior doctors are qualified doctors in clinical training in either a hospital or general practice. The strike will see junior doctors walk out of both routine and emergency care. Services are expected to be impacted across the whole healthcare system including hospitals, mental health services and primary care. On the day consultants and junior doctors take industrial action together, emergency plans are in place to ensure emergency and urgent care is in place for those who need it.
Consultants are senior doctors see patients and are responsible for supervising junior doctors and other staff. When consultants take strike action they stop delivering care directly or providing supervision of the work of junior staff. Without supervision it may not be possible for some care delivered by junior doctors or other staff to take place safely. During the action consultants will provide ‘Christmas Day’ cover, meaning they will continue to provide all emergency services, but most routine services will likely be impacted.
If a patient appointment needs to be rescheduled due to industrial action, the NHS will contact them.
For the full press release Click Here.