Patients ‘unaware of strike’ as some hospitals report ‘busiest day’

Acute trusts are reporting high demand at emergency departments (EDs) despite junior doctor strikes, which in some cases threaten to lead to overflowing wards and long ambulance handover delays.

Chief executives and directors from trusts around England told HSJ their EDs had been as busy or busier than usual.

Many had hoped prominent media coverage and NHS announcements about the strikes would lead to reduced demand, helping them cope with fewer doctors on duty. Several claimed it showed national communications about the strikes were lacking.

NHS England has said some hospitals saw their busiest Monday of the year so far yesterday, which it said “presents a major challenge as our staff continue to do all they can to mitigate the impact of the industrial action for patients.”

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Source: HSJ, 14 March 2023