Junior doctor strikes in February

The British Medical Association (BMA) is continuing industrial action across the country for junior doctors for five days between 7am on Saturday 24 February and 11.59pm on Wednesday 28 February.

As always we will be prioritising patient safety and emergency care and we would ask the public to bear with us and support us by being kind to our staff.

Families will be contacted if their appointments are impacted by the industrial action. If you haven’t been contacted, children and young people should attend appointments as usual.

If anyone needs emergency care, our Emergency Department (ED) is still open and will provide care for any child or young person who needs us. However, please be aware that for non-urgent cases we are expecting long waiting times to be seen.

Please consider consulting a pharmacist, visiting NHS 111 online, calling NHS 111, or going to the NHS Walk-in Centre on Broad Lane, S1 3PB, before coming to the ED. If you are seriously concerned about your child and these options are not open to you, come to the ED or call 999.

Advice on how to Choose Well is available on our website.

The Healthier Together website also has loads of advice on what families can do if they have concerns about their child’s health and how to care for children with minor injuries – before bringing them to the ED.

Jeff Perring, Medical Director at Sheffield Children’s, said: “Once again we are putting plans in place, working closely with our medical colleagues and other services, to make sure we maintain safe staffing levels during the industrial action.

“We know the decision to strike has not been taken lightly but there has been a strong commitment on all sides to make sure industrial action is balanced with the delivery of safe care. Our first responsibility is always to the children and families who depend on Sheffield Children’s. By working together we aim to reduce the impact the action will have on babies, children, young people and their families.”