A Suffolk MP and NHS doctor has said he is ‘pleased’ NHS staff in the county will not be joining strike action set to take place across the country. 

Nurses are set to walk out today, with a second stoppage due to take place on December 20, while ambulance crews across the country have pencilled in strikes for December 21 and 28. 

However, none of the industrial action is set to affect the county as staff rejected walkouts at the ballot box. 

Dr Dan Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, said: “Whilst we should recognise that the cost of living is rising and it’s important that NHS staff are properly rewarded for their dedication and hard work during these difficult financial times, as a working NHS doctor myself, I would never strike as I would be worried about the consequence that would have upon patient care.   

“I am pleased that our local NHS staff in Suffolk have taken the same view and are putting patient care first and on behalf of my constituents, I thank them for doing so.” 

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich MP Tom Hunt was also pleased that Suffolk workers would not be joining the strikesIpswich MP Tom Hunt was also pleased that Suffolk workers would not be joining the strikes (Image: House of Commons)

Ipswich MP Tom Hunt was also pleased that healthcare staff were not taking part in Suffolk. 

He said: "It's good news that Suffolk will be unaffected by the NHS strikes in the coming weeks. Strikes like these put vulnerable lives at risk, especially around the holiday season.  

“I'll be watching the situation closely and I hope that every effort will be made to make sure Suffolk isn't affected by strikes later on." 

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Trust said unions had balloted staff on whether to take industrial action, but the threshold for action had not been met. 

Yesterday, the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) said planning for ‘all eventualities’ had taken place in case the trust’s staff were to join future strikes. 

Nick Hulme, ESNEFT’s chief executive, said: “We will be planning for all eventualities to keep our patients safe – that is our top priority.”