Emergencies only as doctors strike

MORE than 5,000 operations and treatments have been cancelled in England ahead of a 48- hour strike by junior doctors.

Medics will go on strike from 8am today in a row with the Government over a new contract.

Junior doctors will provide emergency care only today and tomorrow. Two further 48- hour strikes are planned from 8am on April 8 and April 26.

Figures from NHS England show that 2,077 inpatient treatments have been cancelled because of Wednesday and Thursday’s industrial action alongside 3,187 day- case operations and treatments.

Hundreds more routine clinics and appointments are likely to be affected.

Where possible, patients are asked to contact their GP, seek advice from their local pharmacist, call 111 or check the NHS Choices website.

In an emergency, people should still call 999 or go to A& E.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced he will impose the contract on junior doctors after months of talks with the British Medical Association failed to produce a resolution.