Kirklees health bosses advice for patients about doctors strike

The British Medical Association (BMA) is due to hold a 24-hour strike over proposed changes to NHS pensions.

It will be the first time in 40 years that members of the doctors’ union have taken industrial action.

NHS Kirklees has advised people who need medical care or advice tomorrow to contact their GPs as normal.

It said many practices in West Yorkshire would be working as normal, while the rest would be open still for emergency advice.

Patients with pre-booked GP appointments are being told that they can expect those appointments to go ahead unless their practice contacts them to cancel.

Appointments with health visitors, district nurses and midwives at GP practices will not be affected.

Meanwhile, the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust said it was expecting around 15 of its 325 doctors to take part in the action.

The Trust, which runs Dewsbury and District Hospital, said emergency care would be unaffected but around 100 outpatient appointments were being cancelled.

Chief operating officer Carole Langrick said: “We have asked all our doctors if they intend to take part in the industrial action and, so far, a small number have said that they are taking part. This is affecting a small number of non-urgent appointments and procedures.

“We are contacting patients to let them know that their appointment is affected and to rearrange this as soon as possible.”