UNISON staff in North West held industrial action last week over pay parity dispute
Health unions called the strike in protest at pay and staffing levels which they claim present “unsafe” working conditions.
The leaders of the North of Ireland’s five main political parties have written to Secretary of State Julian Smith urging him to intervene to stop the strike.
A meeting is being held this evening between the parties, Julian Smith, the head of the civil service and the Department of Health in a bid to find more money for nurses, paramedics and health workers to avert the strike action.
The parties said any future Executive would restore pay parity for health workers.
All five trusts will be affected along with the NI Ambulance Service.
Nurses in Derry, like their colleagues across the North of Ireland, are set to strike for 12 hours on Wednesday while paramedics are staging a 24-hour walk out.
How the strike will effect patients and services across the Western Health Trust area:
Planning for widespread disruption to hospital and community services
Patients contacted over cancellations for rescheduled appointment
582 outpatients new and review outpatient appointments postponed.
34 planned inpatient and day case procedures have been cancelled (from Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 December).
All routine mental health outpatient appointments have been cancelled (Urgent and crisis response calls will be responded to as normal).
40 appointments postponed at ‘Fast Lane Breast Clinic’.
Antenatal appointments have been rescheduled.
All non-emergency Children’s Services will be stood-down. Emergency services, including child protection and crisis response will be available.
Many community services have been stood down including School Nursing Service; Sexual Health and Gum Services; Health Visiting services with the exception of six identified clinics. Children’s Disability Teams; Children’s Respite Services at Avalon House; RISE Team; Behavioural Support Team; Autism/ASD Services and CAMHS services.
Emergency CAMHS crisis intervention team will continue to operate as normal on this day.
7 Family Centres will close.
19 Adult Mental Health, Learning and Physical Disability Centres will close.
Strabane Day Centre closed.
23 Treatment rooms closed.
OPALS Rapid Access Clinic will be cancelled. The memory clinic will also be cancelled.
There will be limited catering facilities. All patient meals will be prioritised. Canteen and coffee shops will close. Staff and visitors should make alternative catering arrangements.
There may be delays in answering calls at hospital switch boards.
All statutory residential homes run by the Western Trust will be operating as normal.
Patients and service users that are directly affected have been contacted. If you have not been contacted assume your care will proceed as planned.
How the strike will effect the NI Ambulance Service:
Significant disruption expected
Calls prioritised to provide the quickest and most appropriate response to meet the clinical needs of patients including cancer, renal and palliative patient.
Calls to the 999 service which are less serious in nature, potentially, face a delay in response times and NIAS has asked for patience from callers.
NIAS is also encourage callers to consider other options open to them in relation to their care, including self-care (using the online A-Z symptom checker, click here); seeking pharmacy advice, contacting your GP or self-presentation at Emergency Departments.
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