Industrial action in July: Information for patients

Posted 7th July 2023

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced industrial action by junior doctors and consultants during July 2023 as part of a national pay dispute with the Government. The Society of Radiographers has also announced industrial action this month. The action will affect NHS services across England. This page explains what this means for people under the care of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Industrial action dates

  • 13th-18th July: Junior doctors are due to strike for five days from 07:00 on Thursday 13th July 2023 until 07:00 on Tuesday 18th July 2023 unless a satisfactory pay deal is agreed before then.
  • 20th-22nd July: Consultants are due to take industrial action for 48 hours from 07:00 on Thursday 20th July 2023 until 07:00 on Saturday 22nd July unless a satisfactory pay deal is agreed before then.
  • 25th-27th July: Radiographers are due to take industrial action for 48 hours from 08:00 on Tuesday 25th July 2023 until 08:00 on Thursday 27th July 2023 unless a satisfactory pay deal is agreed before then.

What this means for our patients

We have extensive plans in place to make sure we can continue providing safe, high-quality care during the strikes. We expect to deliver services including chemotherapy and other systemic anti-cancer therapies, radiotherapy, diagnostics, inpatient care, many outpatient consultations and urgent cancer care. (We do not provide surgery.)

If you have an appointment on a strike day: You should attend your appointment as planned unless we contact you directly to say otherwise.

Inpatient care: There will be appropriate senior medical cover on our wards so inpatients will continue to receive expert medical care.

If you need urgent advice / care

Our Hotline team is available 24/7 – including strike days – on 0800 169 5555 for anyone who is currently being treated at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre or who completed treatment in the last six weeks and who needs urgent care or advice (e.g. due to treatment side-effects).

Emergency departments in our region are expected to be very busy. For general health advice and queries – including an online symptom checker – visit 111 online (111.nhs.uk) or call them on 111 if you don't have internet access:

  • Make NHS 111 online your first port of call for all non-emergency health needs.
  • NHS 111 online offers you fast access to advice on the best options for getting care. They can also organise call backs from a trained clinician or nurse, or book you a face to face appointment in A&E or with a GP if needed.
  • It’s really important that people know where to go for advice and treatment this week, as local services are very busy: contact NHS 111 in the first instance, or try a walk-in centre, GP, or pharmacy.

Call 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.