Today is the first day of the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA)'s planned industrial action. The vast majority of our junior doctors are participating in the strike, which forms part of a national dispute over pay. The strike will end at 7am on Thursday morning. 

Maintaining safe patient care is our first priority, however we recognise and respect the right of our colleagues to take part in lawful industrial action. There is a very high turnout for this week's strike, which means we have much fewer doctors working over this period than we normally would, and this is having a slight impact on the time it takes for ward rounds.

Command structures have been established across Calderdale and Kirklees throughout the 72-hour strike to help mitigate the impact.

There are no derogations for this strike, which means that none of the Trust’s services are protected from the impact of strike action. Only in the event of a mass casualty event will Trade Unions instruct their members to stand down their strike action.

We have undertaken significant planning to prepare for this period of industrial action to help protect the safety and wellbeing of patients and colleagues. We have stood some elective work down, to enable us to prioritise caring for patients with the most urgent need.

We have issued communications to the public to notify them of the disruption to our services, and to ask them to use our Accident and Emergency services wisely. 

There are two picket lines at each site – one at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and one at Calderdale Royal Hospital. We ask that colleagues be understanding of everyone’s position when crossing through the picket lines.

There is a roving service between Monday and Wednesday to support clinicians, phlebotomy and ward staff with venepuncture and cannulation. The service will process requests between 08:00 - 17:00 between Monday 13th to Wednesday 15th March. Before submitting a request, please consider if there is anyone in your department who could do this. The service is only a small team, covering a large area.

Thank you to all colleagues who are responding to the strike with One Culture of Care in mind, helping to keep our patients and each other safe and well during this time. 

For the latest news and updates on this period of industrial action, watch today's CHFT Live Industrial Action Special on YouTube.

For further information, please read our Frequently Asked Questions document.