Resident doctors at Cumbrian hospitals are set to strike for five days this month.
The planned industrial action by members of the British Medical Association, is set to run between 7am this Friday July 25 and 7am on Wednesday July 30.
Health bosses are warning that the walkout is likely to impact NHS services as resident doctors, who used to be known as junior doctors, make up almost half of the number of doctors in the NHS.
Professor Craig Harris, chief operating officer at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which organises health services for the region, said: “We know from recent experience that industrial action has a big impact on our hospitals, the services they provide, and the wider NHS.
“Those whose appointments are affected will be contacted in advance, so please still attend if you haven’t heard from us.
“We are calling on members of the public to help us during this difficult period by continuing to use services appropriately and to please use NHS 111 Online for all non-emergency healthcare needs. But please attend A&E in any life-threatening emergencies.
“I feel it is important to reassure everyone that the NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage the disruption caused by industrial action, and protect emergency treatment.”
NHS 111 Online should be the first point of call for all urgent but not life-threatening situations – or call 111 for treatment for under-fives.
Dr Adrian Clements, executive medical director at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We have been working hard since the announcement to look at how we can maintain as many services as possible. We are prioritising emergency and urgent care, inpatient services and clinically urgent care.
“Patient safety is our priority which means some outpatient clinics and planned surgery have had to be postponed. Where appointments are postponed, we will aim to rebook these as soon as possible.
“The Urgent Treatment Centre at Keswick will also be closed on Sunday July 27, however the UTC at Penrith and emergency departments at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary and the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven will be open.
“Due to the strike our services will be safe but patients are asked to choose wisely and only to attend urgent and emergency care in an emergency.
“We apologise in advance but patients who do need to attend could be waiting for extended periods to be seen and treated due to a reduction in the number of medical staff on duty.”
“If you do access our services, please be kind to our staff. We are grateful to everyone for their support and help.”
