NON-URGENT appointments are currently being rescheduled by hospital chiefs after tomorrow, Thursday's, planned 24 hour strike was called off.

Urgent surgical cases, cancer procedures, maternity and emergency work would have carried on as planned if the industrial action had gone ahead.

But staff at the hospital have had to rearrange a number of non-urgent appointments and routine surgical procedures.

The cancellation of the strike on Tuesday evening means that not all the cancelled work will be able to be rescheduled in time but the trust will use the capacity to put some work back on where patients are able to travel in at short notice or use facilities for other purposes.

Karen Dawber, director of nursing and organisational development, said: “We have a good relationship with our union colleagues at the hospitals and whilst recognising their right to strike following the national ballots, we worked hard to make sure that all essential and urgent services were able to run as usual during the planned period of action.

“Unfortunately, there will still be some disruption to non-emergency appointments and surgery because we had to plan for the strike action and cancel work that would have been affected on Thursday.

"We contacted patients who were affected in advance and are working to see what work can be reinstated.

"If you have not heard from us directly, please assume that there is no change if your appointment was cancelled.”