Industrial action by junior doctors - August
Date added: 09 August 2023
The British Medical Association has announced that junior doctors will take part in a 4-day strike from 7am on Friday 11 August to 7am on Tuesday 15 August 2023.
We expect that our plans will be sufficient to minimise the disruption to our services and our focus remains on ensuring the safe provision of mental health care during this period.
However, as the full picture will not emerge until the days of the strike, we have robust contingency plans in place to make sure you can access the care and services you need.
If your appointment is affected by the strike on any of the days you will be contacted in advance. Your appointment will be rescheduled as quickly as possible.
If you do not hear from us, please attend any appointments that you have as normal
We hope that the industrial dispute is resolved as soon as possible, but apologise in the meantime for any disruption it may cause.
Who to contact if you need help
Anyone in Kent and Medway who is not currently receiving care or treatment from KMPT (sometimes referred to as Kent and Medway secondary care mental health services) can contact the Kent and Medway Urgent Mental Health Helpline on 0800 783 9111. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for urgent advice and support.
Alternatively, if you are looking for emotional support or want to talk to someone, you can contact the Release the Pressure helpline 24 hours a day on 0800 107 0160. You can also text “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258 for 24-hour mental health crisis support via text.
How to find help for children and young people (under 18)
Residents of Kent and Medway who need to contact Children and Young Peoples Services (sometimes referred to as CYPS or Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services / CAMHS) can contact the 24-hour Single Point of Access (provided by North East London Foundation Trust) on 0800 011 3474 (select option one, then option three).
More information about local services and support can also be found on the Kent and Medway Mental Wellbeing Information Hub here. https://www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/mental-wellbeing-information-hub
Please visit our need help section of our website for more information: https://www.kmpt.nhs.uk/need-help/
