Senior North East NHS figures have "contingency plans" in place ahead of three days of strike action from junior doctors starting today.
Thousands are set to walk out at hospitals across England and our region, with picket lines set to take place outside hospitals including the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington. NHS bosses have, ahead of the strike action, reiterated their commitment to protecting patients from any impact, but accepted that some planned appointments and procedures will be postponed.
The three-day walkout is the longest single strike the NHS has faced in a winter that has been marked by industrial action from groups including nurses, ambulance service workers and physios. A ballot conducted in January and early February saw 37,000 doctors return ballot papers, with 98% were in favour of strike action.
