Threat of GP industrial action sparks urgent plans

Health bosses across the Black Country and Staffordshire were today drawing up urgent action plans ahead of Thursday's planned strike by GPs and hospital doctors.

Doctors across the region have voted to take part in the action organised by the British Medical Association, meaning many GP practices will be closed to all non-emergency cases.

Hundreds of appointments have been rearranged ahead of the day and operations have been cancelled as doctors refuse to see any non-emergency cases or complete paperwork.

Health chiefs in Wolverhampton have made sure the city's two walk-in centres – the Phoenix Centre in Parkfields and Showell Park in Low Hill – will be open on the day.

Spokeswoman Lindsey Harding, from the Black Country PCT Cluster which covers Wolverhampton, said all patients who would be affected by the strike action had been contacted and their appointments had been rearranged.

Meanwhile, bosses at the Mid-Staffordshire Foundation Trust, which runs Stafford and Cannock Chase hospitals, said all routine patients for the nine clinics which have been affected by the action had been informed, and their appointments moved.

Patients who have not been contacted were urged to turn up for scheduled appointments as usual.

A small number of patients who were due to have routine operations have been contacted and their operations rescheduled.

Urgent surgery will be carried out as planned.

A&E, maternity services, X-ray and other diagnostic testing will not be affected, according to chiefs.

Meanwhile, Dudley Group of Hospitals chief executive Paula Clark said 17 doctors from the trust will be taking part in the action.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to rescheduled patients, but hope they will understand," she said.

By Charlotte Cross