AS JUNIOR doctors nationwide are set to go on 24-hour strike, Basingstoke hospital is making patient safety its number one priority. 


The strikes were announced after communications between the health secretary Jeremy Hunt MP and the British Medical Association (BMA) broke down.


In November 2015, junior doctors voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action against proposed new contracts, which the BMA believed to be “unsafe” and “unfair”. 


With an agreement on the details of doctor’s contracts not being reached, groups of junior doctors around the UK are set to take a stand. 


In preparation of the planned strikes, Basingstoke hospital’s chiefs are looking into what appointments they have and if staffing levels will be able to cope with the demand. 


Mary Edwards, chief executive of Hampshire Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Basingstoke hospital, said their priority is to ensure patient safety. 


She said: “In preparation for a national strike by junior doctors we will plan our appointments and staffing levels with consultants and other staff to ensure all our patients are kept safe and well-cared for.


“We might need to reschedule some of our planned appointments and procedures on the days affected by strike action. 


“Patients will be contacted by the hospital if we need to change their appointment.”


The BMA has stated that unless progress is made in negotiations with the Government, a 24-hour strike, starting at 8am on Tuesday, January 12, will take place, with junior doctors only working in situations of emergency care. 


After this, if no further action is taken, a 48-hour, emergency-care-only strike will take place on January 26, with a full withdrawal of labour planned for February 10.


BMA council chair, Dr Mark Porter, said junior doctors have been left with no option other than to strike. 


He said: “Throughout this process the BMA has been clear that it wants to reach agreement on a contract that is good for patients, junior doctors and the NHS. 


“After weeks of further negotiations, it is clear that the government is still not taking junior doctors concerns seriously. 


“We sincerely regret the disruption that industrial action will cause, but junior doctors have been left with no option.


“It is because the Government’s proposals would be bad for patient care as well as junior doctors in the long-term that we are taking this stand.”