Public announcements

Information about issues happening at our hospitals that may affect the care that we deliver to our patients.

BMA resident doctors have announced strikes from 7am on 7 April until 7am on 13 April.

What if I have an appointment planned during the industrial action?

We will have to cancel some appointments and planned operations to help us keep our patients safe. We know this may be disappointing and concerning for people waiting for treatment and we are sorry this is the case. We will re-arrange appointments as quickly as we can.

We are contacting patients whose operation or appointment has been cancelled.

If you don’t hear from us, please attend your hospital appointments as planned. 

If you have any questions about your planned operation or appointment during this time please call the telephone number included on your appointment letter.

What if I need medical care? 

Our Emergency Departments will stay open for people who need life-saving treatment or emergency care during the industrial action. It's very likely that there will be long waits to be seen if you attend our emergency departments while the industrial action is happening. 

If you need non-emergency medical care or advice, please call the NHS 111 helpline, or visit NHS 111 Online. NHS 111 is available to make it easier and quicker for patients to get the right advice or treatment for their physical or mental health, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Contact NHS 111 if:

1. You need medical help fast, but it's not a 999 emergency. 
2. You don't know who to call for medical help or you don't have a GP to call. 
3. You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service; or. 
4. You need health information or reassurance about what to do next. 

You can read more information about choosing the right services when you're feeling unwell on the Mid and South Essex ICS website at https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/health/support. 

Following national guidance – and in line with hospitals across the rest of the country – we are assessing planned procedures that use medical bone cement. 

This is part of the NHS’s immediate guidance to hospitals because of a global supply issue for bone cement. It helps us make sure trauma and urgent care can safely continue.

We will contact the small number of patients who are affected by the shortage.  If we don't contact you, please attend your appointment as planned.

The NHS is working closely with government and leading professional bodies to ensure safe and effective care can be provided while the supply problems are resolved and to reduce delays for patients who need less urgent care as far as possible.

We are constantly reviewing the situation and will update this page with more information when we have it.

Global bone cement shortage – updated

What has happened?

Heraeus Medical, a manufacturer of bone cement used in medical procedures such as emergency surgery and routine hip and knee replacements experienced a fault at their factory.

As a result, there will be an ongoing global supply disruption for the next few weeks.

Why can't we use an alternative?

For some procedures, alternative products are available from other suppliers, but they will not be able to produce enough stock to cover everything Heraeus Medical would usually provide.

What does this mean for appointments?

Due to the global supply disruption, NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and the National Orthopaedic Society have asked NHS Trusts to prioritise providing procedures to patients with the most urgent clinical need to ensure there is enough supply.

This may mean that some patients with less clinically urgent needs have their care postponed, but medical teams will do their best to keep disruption to a minimum.

How will I know if my appointment is affected?

We will contact you directly if your appointment is postponed. If you do not hear from us, please attend all your scheduled appointments as normal.