The Western Health and Social Care Trust has announced details of the health services which will be affected on Monday as a result of strike action by local healthcare workers.
Unison, Nipsa and GMB workers took to the picket line across Northern Ireland on Monday in response to what they believe to be an ‘unacceptable’ pay offer.
Hundreds of appointments have been postponed across the Western Trust, including at Altnagelvin, the South West Acute Hospital and Omagh Primary Care and Treatment Centre.
READ MORE: Further calls for Trust board to resign over SWAH controversy
625 new, routine and review outpatient appointments at the hospitals have been postponed due to the strike action, with new appointments being allocated to patients.
47 inpatient and day-case procedures have also been postponed across the three hospitals in the Trust area.
A number of day centres for older people, those with learning disabilities and mental health issues will also be affected:
The Trust added: “We are aware that some service users in receipt of homecare may not receive their scheduled morning call, between the hours of 8am and 12 noon, if it is delivered by the Western Trust.
“We are asking for the help of family members and carers to assist us during these times by checking in with their relatives / neighbours that receive homecare services.”
A £1,400 pay increase for workers across the NHS had been proposed but been rejected by the unions due to rising inflation.
Anne Speed, UNISON Head of Bargaining and Representation said: "A pay rise has been due since last April. Inflation is running at 11% and our members are now on industrial action to secure protection from rising costs and increased threat of poverty.
“We know that DOH officials listened carefully during the many times we challenged the breaking of pay parity. But they, and we, know now that even with this adjustment our members will continue to feel real financial pressure.
“Without protection against inflation pay workers essentially suffer a pay cut.”
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