Clinics Cancelled As Unison Strike Looms

It has been anticipated that as many as 8,000 hospital and educational staff members could be involved in Wednesday's strike action, called by the trade union, Unison.

The Belfast Trust has already said that 1,000 hospital outpatient appointments have been cancelled with picket lines expected to form in a protest against the impact of cuts on services and jobs.

The action is expected to cause widespread disruption as elective operations and outpatient clinic appointments will be cancelled.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: "We are working with Unison to manage disruption on the day and to ensure the need for safe service provision for patients during the action. Unison have undertaken to ensure that emergency and critically clinical can be maintained during the day of action."

The union also said an agreed protocol has been reached by the Health Trusts and Ambulance Service to protect patient safety.

The Ambulance Service will provide emergency cover but day case transport will be cancelled. However, in Social Services, transport, day centres and other facilities will be affected.

The first picket line will form after midnight at the Mater Hospital in north Belfast, and then at all hospitals across Northern Ireland from early morning.

In the Education sector, where Unison is one of a number of unions, some schools will close, others will have picket lines. Unison members will provide cover for all Special Needs Schools on the day but protest action will take place at each to highlight the fact that this one of hardest hit areas.

Patricia McKeown, Unison Regional Secretary said: "It is over 30 years since strike action took place simultaneously across our integrated Health & Social Care system.

"Many of the workers taking strike action on Wednesday were children themselves when the last main strike occurred.

"For the majority it will be the first time they have ever been on strike.

"This action does not come lightly to any member. They are sacrificing their pay in difficult times to highlight the impact of cuts on services and jobs," she said.

"We are standing up to protect services and jobs. Please stand with us," she appealed.

Vulnerable

NI Health Minister Edwin Poots commented: "My first concern remains with patients and clients and how they may be affected by the strike action that Unison has chosen to take.

"It is important that any disruption to our services is managed carefully and I know that Trusts have worked hard to achieve this.

"I have no doubt that there will be delays and that not all patients who were due to receive non-urgent treatment will be seen. People who expected and deserved procedures to remove pain and discomfort will continue to suffer. Therefore I find this strike highly regrettable," said the DUP Minister.

"However, I am assured that staff will continue to work in our emergency departments and services, inpatient services will continue and that those people, who are among the most vulnerable, and rely on services in their own homes or in residential settings will continue to receive their treatment and care.

"I respect the democratic right of any trade union to take lawful industrial action, but strike action is unnecessarily disruptive to patients and staff.

"I would re-iterate that my door is always open and I am always prepared to talk to those who represent the healthcare workforce - that is how to get things resolved."

Mr Poots continued: "I fully appreciate the excellent work of our health service staff who work tirelessly to provide a high quality health service in very challenging times."

(BMcC/GK)