Junior doctors industrial strike action - January 2024

The British Medical Association has announced that junior doctors will take part in a six-day strike from 7am on Wednesday 3 January 2024 to 7am on Tuesday 9 January 2024.

While we expect there will be disruptions to our services; we have worked hard to ensure that we have robust contingency plans in place to offer safe mental health services during this period.

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/