Home / Health / Doctor Strike Averted: A&E Closure Cancelled
Doctor Strike Averted: A&E Closure Cancelled
14 Jun
Summary
- Doctor strike suspended due to new government pay offer.
- Cheltenham General Hospital's A&E closure is now cancelled.
- Patients should attend appointments unless directly contacted.
The planned closure of Cheltenham General Hospital's A&E department has been called off following the suspension of a four-day resident doctor strike. This strike was averted due to a new pay offer presented by the government, which the British Medical Association (BMA) announced on Saturday.
The A&E department had been set to close on Sunday at 20:00 BST, with plans to reopen as a minor injury and illness unit until Friday. While the immediate closure is cancelled, the NHS trust acknowledges that some services will be disrupted due to the late change. Efforts are underway to reorganize appointments scheduled from Tuesday to Thursday.
Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's resident doctor committee, stated that the new offer addresses concerns about fair pay and job security. Tens of thousands of doctors will now vote in a referendum on the offer. Health Secretary James Murray welcomed the development, calling it an opportunity to end recent disputes and highlighting progress in areas like training and working conditions.
