WARRINGTON hospital bosses say all emergency and urgent hospital procedures and appointments will be running as normal as junior doctors take national strike action on December 1.

Health chiefs confirmed some non-urgent appointments and routine surgical procedures have been rearranged due to some staff being involved in the action.

The small number of patients affected are being contacted directly by phone and letter and their appointments will be rearranged.

All the trust’s emergency and urgent services – including A&E and maternity services – will be open as usual. Urgent surgical cases, cancer procedures, maternity and emergency work will also carry on as planned.

Roger Wilson, director of human resources and organisational development at Warrington and Halton Hospitals, said: “We have a good relationship with our junior doctor colleagues at the hospitals and whilst recognising their right to strike following the national ballots, we have worked to make sure that all essential and urgent services are able to run as usual during the period of action as agreed.

"Consultants and other senior clinicians will cover the shifts for junior doctors who are taking industrial action, to ensure that patients are provided with safe care.

“Unfortunately, there will be some disruption to non-emergency appointments and surgery but we are trying to minimise that as much as we can and will reschedule any routine operations as soon as possible.

"We have contacted patients who will be affected by this in advance. If you have not heard from us, please assume that there is no change to your appointment.

“We will continue to provide emergency care and other urgent services, but we ask that people only use our emergency department for serious, urgent health problems.

"Please use local urgent care centres in Halton, GP clinics, pharmacies or NHS 111 for all other health issues.”

Junior doctors in England overwhelmingly voted in favour of going on strike in their dispute with ministers over a new contract.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said they had put forward a 'fair offer' but The British Medical Association said doctors had been left with no choice as the contract was 'unsafe'.

Patients can also check the hospital website for further updates.