Industrial action in April/May

The RCN (Royal College of Nursing) has announced planned strike action from 8pm on Sunday, 30 April to 12midnight on Monday, 1 May 2023.

While pay is a matter for Government and the trade unions, we value our colleagues and want to see a resolution as soon as possible.

We are working closely with RCN representatives, our service leads and all our colleagues to plan for the strike. We want to reassure all our patients, their families and carers, that we are doing everything we can to continue to run safe services.

Frequently asked questions

What if I have an appointment with you on a strike day?

If industrial action goes ahead on Tuesday, 2 May, some planned appointments may need to be postponed to maintain safe levels of staffing in other areas.

We will contact you directly if your appointment has been postponed. The phone call may come from a private or withheld number. If you do not hear from us, please attend your appointment as planned.

We respect the right of our colleagues to take strike action and ask that you do the same, treating them with kindness and respect. The RCN has assured us that colleagues who choose not to strike and any patients who come forward for appointments, can do so.

GP services are not affected by this strike action. Please continue to attend your GP appointments.

How will you make sure your patients are safe during the strike?

What if I need to go to an urgent treatment centre or minor injury unit?

We expect our urgent treatment centres to be open on strike days but you may have to wait longer than usual, or we may need to direct you to an alternative site. Edenbridge Minor Injury Unit will be closed on strike days.

If you need urgent medical care please come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases.

When someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk, call 999. For urgent care that is not immediately life-threatening call NHS 111, or visit NHS 111 online.