A full emergency service will continue at Frimley Health’s hospitals during the two days of industrial action proposed by junior doctors next week, but many planned operations and outpatient clinics will be rescheduled.

Between 8am and 5pm next Tuesday and Wednesday (26, 27 April) the British Medical Association has called for the first national withdrawal of all labour by junior doctors in the history of the NHS. This will have a bigger impact on planned services than earlier actions when junior doctors continued to provide emergency cover.

Many, but not all, planned operations, procedures and outpatient clinics have had to be rescheduled to ensure we can provide safe staffing levels for emergency care.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Medical Director Dr Tim Ho said: “We have known about this for several weeks so we have been able to put robust and comprehensive plans in place that focus on patient safety.

"Unfortunately this will mean postponing a significant number of patient appointments. We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause but we hope everyone affected understands that we must focus our resources on those in most urgent need.

"Everyone whose appointment has been rearranged will be contacted directly by the trust in advance, so unless you have heard from us please attend your appointment as normal."

Full services will operate from emergency departments at Frimley Park and Wexham Park hospitals. However with resources stretched, the trust is asking people to only attend in an emergency.

The industrial action only affects hospital doctors below consultant level. GP practices will be open as normal during the two days of industrial action. The trust is asking that if you need medical help, but your condition not serious or life threatening, please contact your GP, visit a local pharmacy or call NHS 111 for advice.