Pennine Acute Trust: minimal disruption on national strike

Patients are being advised to turn up to hospital for their operation or appointment as normal unless they are contacted directly by the Trust.

A spokesperson for The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “As of 9 o’clock this morning, it appears from early indications that as expected we are able to provide most services as normal today across all our hospitals.

“Three particular areas which are being affected due to staff shortage are physiotherapy, x-ray and occupational therapy. However, emergency cover is still being maintained.

“A number of routine outpatient physiotherapy clinics and some follow-up general orthopaedic outpatient clinics have be postponed and rescheduled. These patients have been contacted and notified.

“To our patients, we are planning to run normal services as possible. If you have an appointment and are planning to come in today for treatment or an appointment at any of our hospitals, please continue to attend unless you are contacted directly by the Trust. It is not necessary to check, we will contact you if your appointment is affected and if there is any need to change your appointment.

“In the event of any industrial action and staff shortage, the Trust has robust contingency plans in place to ensure quality of patient care and patient safety is not compromised.”

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust runs North Manchester General Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, Rochdale Infirmary and services at Birch Hill Hospital.