Doctors strike: What the strike will mean for patients

Published on 21/06/2012 00:20

How will the doctors strike affect patients in Scotland? Find out here

• Doctors will see anyone who is ill, or who believes they are ill, today – but will not do paperwork.

• All elective and non-urgent surgeries, such as knee and hip replacements, will be cancelled.

• Appointments for routine treatments will also be postponed to a later date.

• Hospital doctors who are not participating in the strike will be drafted into other departments to ensure the safety of patients.

• Most GP surgeries are expected to remain open but there will be no routine appointments in surgeries where doctors are on strike.

• Only pre-ordered prescriptions will be available for collection, unless medication is needed in an emergency.

• GPs and hospital staff will treat any patient who presents as an emergency case. They are also duty bound to see anyone who declares themselves to be in need of urgent care or treatment.

• All accident and emergency units and maternity services will be unaffected and tests for critical illnesses, such as cancer, will go ahead.

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