Wednesday 30 November 2011 - Public Sector
Strike
The Trust is making every effort to ensure
essential services are maintained both at New Cross Hospital and in
the community during today’s industrial action.
No departments are closed and patients whose
appointments have been affected have been notified and sent an
alternative date.
Wherever possible, patients with queries
regarding their appointment are asked to contact the specific
department they are due to attend, rather than the main hospital
switchboard.
The information below explains what’s happening at the
Trust:
I have an out-patient appointment on strike day –
should I attend?
Yes. If your appointment is on the 30th
November please come along as arranged. If your appointment
was to be cancelled you would have received a text, phone call or
letter by this stage.
I have an appointment, but I now have childcare or
carer problems due to the strike – can I re-arrange?
Yes of course – please contact the number on your
appointment letter to re-arrange. Let us know as soon as
possible. We appreciate some patients will have problems due
to strike action in schools and social services.
Will the hospital be running with fully qualified
staff?
Yes. Any service running on the day will be operated by
fully qualified staff – our aim is to provide safe services with as
little inconvenience as possible to patients.
Will there be any services unavailable on the
day?
Routine x-rays and scans will not be available on the
day. This means that GPs will not be able to offer patients
‘same day’ referrals for this service and some out-patients may
need to return to the hospital on a different day to have their
investigations.
What about emergency services?
If you need emergency care or emergency surgery (including vital
x-rays, scans and blood tests) you will receive the treatment you
need. Urgent and vital care is not affected by the
strike.
Will you be providing any further
information?
If the situation changes, or there is anything to update, we
will let you know. Keep checking our website