Robust plans are in place in Bath and North East Somerset to ensure patients are safely cared for during the industrial action by junior doctors on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th April.
Urgent and emergency care will continue to be provided by the Royal United Hospital in Bath with priority given to those patients with the most pressing health needs.
Dr Ian Orpen, a local GP and Clinical Chair of NHS Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We anticipate that the Emergency Department will continue to be very busy before, during and after the industrial action so we are encouraging local people to choose wisely if they should need medical help or advice over the coming days.
“Your support is greatly appreciated and allows us to focus on treating patients with severe and life-threatening conditions.
“If you need medical help or advice, please ask your pharmacist or GP in the first instance or make a free phone call to NHS 111. You can also visit www.nhs.uk/strike for local updates on additional services.”
Dr Tim Craft, Medical Director at the RUH, said: “Unlike previous strikes, junior doctors across the NHS will not be providing emergency care, and this has required even greater levels of planning and preparation.
“We have been working closely with the CCG and local GPs to mitigate the potential impact of disruption on our services.
“Our priority is to ensure that patients remain safe and we aim to continue with as many of our usual activities as possible.
“Inevitably though, some non-urgent appointments and routine operations are affected and we have already contacted those patients who are impacted. If you do not hear from us, please assume your appointment remains unchanged and attend as planned.
“For those in less urgent need of care, we ask you to bear with us as you may experience a longer waiting time than you would normally expect.”