Read the latest on ambulance strike action
All our hospitals are extremely busy but will remain open to care for patients requiring treatment during the planned ambulance strike on Friday 10 February.
The safety of our patients continues to be our top priority, and we have contingency plans in place to ensure this is not compromised by any industrial action in the NHS.
For example, we are putting on extra medical and nursing staffing in our Emergency Departments to ensure that patients arriving by ambulance are admitted promptly.
Steps are also being taken to accommodate additional inpatients if necessary and also ensure patients can leave hospital after their treatment in a timely manner.
Anyone who needs immediate medical help or advice should go to NHS 111 online unless it is a life-threatening emergency, when they should still call 999.
On the 10 February the strike is planned to run from 11am to 11pm, but ambulances will still be able to respond, especially if there is an immediate risk to life.
Our hospitals will effectively be running at the highest alert level for three days either side of the London Ambulance Service action. The extra staff in EDs will include more senior clinicians to enhance the triage of new patients and ensure appropriate decisions on their treatment aremade promptly.
Our maternity services will run as usual, although we urge people expecting to give birth on Friday 10 February to make plans in advance for getting themselves to hospital.
We will let people know if an appointment needs to be rescheduled but are asking outpatients to please turn up as usual unless you are contacted beforehand.
We are working closely with partners across north east London to secure enhanced community support so patients don’t have to stay in hospital unnecessarily.
Members of the Royal College of Nursing are not taking action at our hospitals, so we do not anticipate postponing routine surgery unless winter pressures intensify.
On behalf of staff and patients we want the industrial disputes resolved as soon as possible but pay in the NHS is a matter for the Government and trade unions.