First strike by doctors in nearly 40 years ‘to have limited impact’

A poll by Pulse magazine found only a quarter of practices across the UK have notified NHS chiefs that they will be taking part in the strike which will see them refuse to carry out routine care.

Latest official figures in West Yorkshire reveal 107 practices have indicated they will take part in full or partial action, while 194 have said they will not.

NHS bosses are urging patients to contact their family doctor as normal if they need help on the day of action. All will remain open to offer emergency advice and care to any of their patients who need it even if they take part.

The action is also likely to hit hospitals amid warnings some routine procedures could be affected. Officials say patients with pre-booked appointments are being told in advance if their appointments are being changed.

Bosses at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said they had postponed a limited number of outpatient appointments and non-urgent operations. The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals trust, which runs services in Wakefield, Pontefract and Dewsbury, said a “small number” of doctors had said they would take part in the action, which is in protest at the Government’s pension reforms.

The Royal College of Midwives has advised its members not to do anything to “undermine” the industrial action but urged members to “work as normal” tomorrow.

According to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley the planned strike could see up to 30,000 operations cancelled, 58,000 diagnostic tests postponed and 200,000 outpatient appointments rescheduled. He claimed up to 1.25 million GP appointments would be pushed into the days and weeks following the action.

The British Medical Association, which has taken out a number of advertisements in major newspapers today, including the Yorkshire Post, setting out the reasons for the action, announced the strike last month after it accused Ministers of pressing ahead with “totally unjustified” increases to pension contributions and a later retirement age for doctors.