100+ appointments cancelled due to upcoming strike action

RCN nurses to stop work on Tuesday in row over pay and conditions

More than 100 face-to-face hospital appointments have been cancelled due to impending strike action.

Manx Care says it’s contacted patients to inform them of the disruption which will be caused on Tuesday when nurses take industrial action.

Essential hospital services will continue to run, on 25 July, when members of the Royal College of Nursing go on strike as part of an ongoing row over pay and conditions. 

Manx Care says services deemed as essential by the RCN will remain operational.

These include:

• Inpatient services at Noble’s Hospital and Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital
• Emergency Department
• Maternity unit
• Oncology day unit
• Inpatient mental health services at Manannan Court
• Some community-based services
• Dialysis services
• Critical care provision
• Urgent cancer services
• Emergency surgery
• Children’s ward and paediatric outpatient appointments
• Urgent and time sensitive termination services

However the health body has warned that RCN members who work in the above services may choose not to attend work during the strike period.

Other medical services are expected to operate on a ‘Christmas Day schedule’.

Anyone with an appointment booked for Tuesday should have been contacted yesterday (Friday) if this is due to be cancelled or rescheduled; this will be followed up with a letter.

The Minor Injuries and Illnesses Unit and the blood clinic in Ramsey will be closed for the day and non-urgent endoscopy appointments have been cancelled.

Elective theatre sessions have also been called off and the GUM clinic, fertility clinic and family planning services will also close.

GP surgeries are unaffected.

Teresa Cope, Manx Care chief executive, said: “First and foremost I wish to reiterate Manx Care’s position with regard to industrial action which is that we respect and support the decision by RCN members to take industrial action and equally support the decision of any RCN member working for Manx Care to participate in strike action next week.

“The decisions we have taken with regard to cancelling appointments and closing services have not been taken lightly.

“However it’s vital that we work to maintain safe staffing levels across those services that are deemed as being essential or there to preserve life, particularly access to urgent or emergency care, whilst respecting and acknowledging our colleagues’ right to take industrial action.

“I’d urge anyone with any queries about this to contact the Manx Care Advice and Liaison Service (MCALS) in the first instance.”

You can find more information HERE.