Brighton hospital chief says some services will be hit by strike

Doctors and midwives will be working as normal when thousands of public workers strike over their pensions on Wednesday (30 November).

The Accident and Emergency Department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital is not scheduled to face disruption.

But some patients may be affected by the strike, with a number of outpatient clinics likely to be closed for the day.

Graham White, director of human resources at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Royal Sussex, said that most nurses were expected to turn up for work.

The trust also the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Kemp Town and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Mr White said: “We have agreed with the relevant trade unions that they will give us as much notice as possible on the categories and numbers of hospital staff who plan to take industrial action on 30 November so that we can plan the necessary cover for staff absences.

“It will be business as usual for medical emergencies at our hospital on 30 November.

“The majority of nurses due to work that day will not be taking part in industrial action and doctors and midwives are also not participating.

“Some outpatient clinics will be closed or operating a limited service.

“Plans are already in place to minimise any inconvenience and disruption this may cause for non-emergency patients.”

The trust said that it would update its website today with details of which services would be affected by industrial action on Wednesday.