This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
GP practices to reduce routine appointments on strike dates
Doncaster LMC medical secretary Dr Dean Eggitt has maintained that while he is fully supportive of the strikes, he has already limited pre-booked appointments on 1 December, the first day which junior doctors are due to walk out.
Another practice in Wiltshire has also informed patients that it will only be taking urgent appointment on the strike dates.
The General Practice Committee (GPC) has assured it is not expecting a surge in demand at GP practices on the days of industrial action, which 98 per cent of junior doctors voted in favour of, due to take place on the 1, 8 and 16 December.
However, a number of practices are taking precautions in the run-up to the strikes.
Dr Eggitt’s Oakwood Surgery in Doncaster has sent out a note to patients via social media which instructs: “To ensure that no harm comes to patients as a consequence of the strike action, we will be reducing routine access to care on this day to help cope with any unexpected increases in demand from other parts of the NHS.
“Whilst we do not anticipate a large surge in demand for our service on the day of the strike we feel that this is the best course of action to ensure safety for our patients who require urgent care.”
When asked to explain why he though the note necessary, Dr Eggitt said: “For two reasons, really. One, because we wanted to support our junior doctors in their strike, so we wanted to send out a message of support.
“Secondly, for the genuine consideration that there may be a surge in activity in primary care. We wanted to ensure that we had the capacity to cope if there is a surge in activity.”
However, GPC deputy chair Dr Richard Vautrey said: “Practices should not anticipate seeing more patients on these days as it’s unlikely that patients who would otherwise have attended an out patient clinic in hospital or were booked for an operation would attend their general practice instead on the days of action.
“I’ve no doubt however that even if there is an increase in workload for GPs they will see that as a price worth paying in order to support their junior doctor colleagues.”
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