Bolton CCG asked to ‘clarify’ strike plans

NHS Bolton Commissioning Group has been asked to confirm its strike arrangements following concerns from local residents about the 24 hour industrial action.

Doctors have confirmed a 24 hour strike will take place on June 21 in protest at the Government’s NHS pension plans and will cancel all routine appointments.

Councillor Andy Morgan, Bolton’s Conservative deputy leader and health spokesman, said local residents needed “clarification” to “know what is happening”.

Cllr Morgan has asked the CCG to confirm whether access to urgent care and GP’s surgeries will be closed across the region claiming that “people are worried”.

He also asked whether guidance will be given to local residents and community care teams before the strike should any emergency occur and questioned whether cancelled appointments will be rescheduled.

“I think the arrangements should have been made clearer from the start,” he said.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said strike action was being taken “very reluctantly” after the Government back-tracked on the deal agreed on pensions four years ago.

Last week, GPs said they were considering withdrawing their involvement in the development of clinical commissioning groups across England in protest over the pension reforms.