Patients are being warned they face disruption as resident doctors begin their strike action over pay and training.
The doctors, previously known as junior doctors, voted to go ahead with a five-day walkout, despite an offer from the Government.
The British Medical Association said 83 per cent of its members had voted in favour of continuing industrial action.
It started at 7am today, Wednesday December 17 and will last until 7am on Monday, December 22. It is the 14th strike since the dispute began in March 2023.
The latest Government offer included more specialist training posts but no extra pay.
Health bosses in Cumbria said patients should expect disruption and potential long waits during the strike, and during the following immediate days when patient attendance often peaks.
They said it was alongside trusts managing winter flu admissions, which has arrived early this year and causing significant added pressures.
Dr Neil O’Brien, chief medical officer for the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “This strike has come at a time when NHS services are seeing increased demand due to the early spread of winter viruses, such as flu, in our communities and also among hospital staff, meaning fewer staff to cover.
“Emergency and urgent care services will be prioritised during this time, so we really need the public’s understanding to only call 999 and attend emergency departments if it is a genuine life-threatening injury or illness.”
The NHS is also reminding the public to keep their appointments unless they hear otherwise.
Dr O’Brien added: “People will be contacted directly if there are any changes to their planned appointment or surgery, and there is no need to contact the NHS about this.”
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary and community hospitals, said it had made detailed plans to prioritise patient and staff safety and minimise the impact of the industrial action.
It said: “The majority of planned operations and outpatients will be maintained during the industrial action, where appointments are being rearranged those patients are being contacted directly. If you are not contacted then it is very important that you attend your appointment as normal.
“People with urgent or life-threatening issues will always be prioritised, and those with non-urgent needs may experience long waits.”
At the moment, waits at the A&E departments at the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital are between three and three-and-a-half hours.
