JUNIOR doctors in Shropshire are set to go on a strike from tomorrow (Wednesday) affecting all local hospitals, including the Gobowen-based RJAH orthopaedic hospital.

The strike action is planned to last 72 hours between 7am on Wednesday, June 14, until Saturday, June 17.

This will be the third period of industrial action by junior doctors this year, following a 96-hour strike in April.

Dr Nick White, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said:  “The 72-hour strike will bring substantial challenges to the local NHS, particularly hospital services, and we are sorry that many patients will experience disruption to services.

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“Partners across the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICS (Integrated Care System) are working closely together to ensure those in greatest need continue to have access to high quality care and support.

“We cannot emphasise enough how important it will be to keep our A&E’s clear for life-threatening conditions and serious injuries.”

This comes after members of the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) voted in favour of the strike.

The strike action will impact all local hospitals – The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, The Princess Royal in Telford, Robert Jones and Agnus Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, and the community hospitals run by Shropshire Community NHS Health Trust.

Patients who have a planned hospital operation, outpatient clinics or procedures should attend as usual, unless they hear from their NHS Trust to advise otherwise.

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However, given the need to ensure safe staffing arrangements in emergency care and other critical services, many appointments will need to be rearranged.

Hospitals are reassuring patients that regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases.

Emergency care will be prioritised and patients seeking urgent treatment will be seen.

For non-urgent treatment and advice, patients are urged to use the NHS 111: www.111.nhs.uk or telephone 111, GP practices (they will continue to be open during the strike), minor injury units, and local pharmacies.