20/09/2023
Industrial Action – Full Strike Action is planned by a number of Trade Unions (UNISON, NIPSA, UNITE, GMB, Society of Radiographers, Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, Royal College of Midwives) on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 September 2023 (Society of Radiographers extends until 08:00 on Saturday 23 September 2023).
The Trust anticipates significant disruption to our hospital and community facilities and services during this time, given the interdependency of services involved. It is also expected that services will continue to be affected into next week (w/c 25 September) as the Trust returns to normal business.
The Trust has made direct contact with the patients and services users impacted on these dates. It is important to note that if you have a pre-booked appointment you should attend unless we contact you to say that it has been cancelled.
We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause patients, service users and their families.
Impact on Thursday 21 September and Friday 22 September
Hospital appointments and procedures
A significant number of planned outpatient appointments and inpatient/day case procedures across many healthcare disciplines have been postponed at our three hospital sites. Patients affected will receive a new appointment in due course.
Learning Disability Day Centres and Day Opportunities
The following Learning Disability Day Centres and Day Opportunities will be closed on Thursday 21 September and Friday 22 September: Glenside ATC, Evergreen Centre, Benbradagh Centre, Willow Group, Roe Leap, Garden Centre LCDI, Omagh Day Centre, Kesh Enterprise Centre, Share Centre, Berries and Strathroy Day Centre.
Rossville, Oaktree, Tir Na Var, Glenside Satellite, Fresh Focus Cross Street and Fresh Focus Tempo Road will be open as normal on Thursday 21 September but closed on Friday 22 September.
Valley Centre, Maybrook Day Centre, Lackaghboy 1, Lackaghboy 2, EPC-Lisnaskea Enterprise Centre and Sow and Grow will operate a reduced service on Thursday 21 September and will be closed on Friday 22 September.
Castlederg Outreach, Dromore Outreach and Lilliput Theatre Company will be open as normal on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 September 2023.
Adult Mental Health Day Centres
The following Adult Mental Health Day Centres will be closed on Thursday 21 September and Friday 22 September: Melrose Day Centre and Arden Day Centre.
Creggan Day Centre will be open as normal on Thursday 21 September but closed on Friday 22 September.
Primary Care and Older People’s Services
The following Day Centres will be open on Thursday 21 September but closed on Friday 22 September; Foyleville, Strabane and Creggan. Please note that transport will not be available to these centres, and service users of this centre will be asked to use their own transport.
The outreach service to Beragh on Friday 22 September will not be operating.
The following centres will be operating as normal: Thackeray, Drumhaw, Tempo Road, Gortmore but transport will not be available for Thackeray and service users of this centre will be asked to arrange their own transport. Transport will be available for clients attending Drumhaw, Tempo Road, Gortmore.
Laboratory Services
On Thursday September 21 and Friday 22 September there will be no laboratory service for routine specimens. No routine GP deliveries or laboratory service is available due to industrial action. Our GP colleagues have been informed and arrangements and cancellations will be made accordingly.
Radiology Services
Radiology services on all four hospital sites (Altnagelvin, SWAH, OHPCC, Roe Valley) will operate an ‘Emergency Only’ service, similar to Christmas Day cover, during the period of industrial action by the Society of Radiology members.
This strike action will take place from 8.00am on Thursday 21 September until 8.00am on Saturday 23 September. Emergency patients will continue to be imaged during this time.
Breast Screening appointments booked for 21 and 22 September will be postponed, and all those affected will receive a new appointment in due course.
Non-emergency appointments currently booked for Radiology will be postponed and those affected will receive a new appointment in due course.
There will be no capacity for referrals to Radiology service who do not have a pre-booked appointment agreed with the service.
Homecare Services
It is anticipated that there will be significant disruption to Homecare service provision. The Trust will endeavour to minimise the impact to care, however it is envisaged that a normal level of service will not be maintained.
If you or a family member is in receipt of Homecare, please consider alternative arrangements and support available to you. Homecare services delivered by our contracted providers are not expected to be affected.
Should an issue arise please call the local Homecare office on the following numbers: Northern Sector (Derry, Limavady, Dungiven) – (028) 7186 4385; Fermanagh (028) 6634 2414 or Strabane Castlederg and Omagh (028) 8283 5911.
The Homecare service will operate as normal on Saturday 23rd September.
Family and Childcare Services
Significant impact to Family and Childcare services is anticipated on Friday 22 September. This service will be operating a bank holiday arrangement. Only emergency childcare will be responded to. In emergency situations please contact, The Gateway Team 028 7131 4070.
Maternity Services
The Royal College of Midwives will take Industrial Action on Friday 22 September (08:00hrs to 16:00hrs, 8 hours). Maternity Units will not be affected during the Industrial Action. Antenatal appointments for Friday 22 September have been rescheduled. The safety care of mothers and babies will be maintained during this time.
Pharmacy Services
It is anticipated that there will be significant disruption to Pharmacy services during this period. Patients will be unable to collect specialist medicines from any site on the days of Industrial Action.
Hospital Site Catering Facilities
There will be reduced catering facilities on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 September. Crossroads Restaurant, Altnagelvin will be closed on both days. SWAH will operate with a reduced service and Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex will continue to monitor, the coffee shop may close, however the Café should remain open. Patient meals will be prioritised. Staff and members of the public are asked to note and make alternative arrangements.
Switchboards
Please note there may be delays in answering calls to our Hospitals, We ask that the Public please be patient and we will get to you as soon as we can.
Cleaning, Porters, Catering and Laundry Services
There will be a reduction in a number of Support Services. These services will be limited and prioritised based on supporting patient/client and staff safety. Service continuity planning arrangements are in place at each ward/department.
The Trust continues to work with Trades Union colleagues to protect our critical services and to try and minimise the impact of Industrial Action on our patients and service users