Hospitals likely to struggle in all-out strikes, GMC warns

The General Medical Council (GMC) has suggested junior doctors in England should reconsider plans to take part in an all out strike, amid concerns some hospitals will be unable to cope.

The strikes, due to take place on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 April, will see medics walk out of A&E, intensive care and maternity units. However, the GMC has issued advice counselling that the impending strike may not be the ‘right option’. The regulator urged junior doctors contemplating industrial action to take ‘reasonable steps’ to ensure that patients safety would be maintained.

In particular, some smaller hospitals have raised similar concerns. NHS England is currently checking with NHS trusts that they have adequate contingency plans in place and is due to meet leaders at the British Medical Association (BMA) on Thursday 21 April to discuss whether junior doctors will be needed.

An agreed escalation procedure is also in place which can allow NHS bosses to request that the BMA allow its representatives to ask doctors to refrain from striking. Plans will also be in place to ensure doctors can be called in if there is a major incident.

Event Diary

This story was first published in digitalhealth.net

Supplier Profiles

CDC success at Victoria Infirmary, Northwich creates ideal model for future patient pathway reforms

Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients

Gain valuable insight with Adveco for gas to electric decarbonisation projects

Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho