The NHS is working hard to ensure that as few patients as possible are affected by the industrial action on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 April, but some services will need to change and some are likely to be busier than usual.

Junior doctors will be striking from 8am to 5pm each day, including withdrawal of cover in A&E departments. Essential care will be provided by senior staff. Some of our planned appointments and operations will have needed to be rearranged for another date, however you will have been contacted individually if your appointment/operation needed to be re-scheduled.You can help the NHS cope by choosing the right service and attending A&E only if it is essential.

If you need medical care during the course of the industrial action there are other healthcare options available for less urgent problems instead of calling 999 or visiting our emergency department – such as visiting your pharmacist or GP, calling NHS 111 or using NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk).       If you are feeling unwell, please do not wait – take advice from your GP or pharmacist, or contact NHS 111 e.g. if you have regular medication – please make sure you have collected your prescription from the GP, have been to the pharmacist to collect it and have it to hand.

For further advice please see http://www.nhs.uk/strike/Pages/strike.aspx