Strike by doctors will hit around 200 appointments in Leeds

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is contacting patients affected by the action, which is due to run from 8am on Wednesday until the same time the following day.

It is stressing that urgent and emergency services at its sites – which include Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital – will continue as normal, as will most routine outpatient appointments and operations.

This week’s action – like the 24-hour ‘emergency care only’ strike that took place across England last month – is being staged in protest at the Government’s plans to impose a controversial new contract on junior doctors later this year.

Trust chiefs today appealed for people who are not contacted about a postponed appointment or operation to come in as scheduled.

David Berridge, medical director (operations) at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: “We have robust plans in place to ensure our hospitals provide safe and effective services during the strike period and patients can be safely looked after.

“During the last strike we know some patients were confused by media reports about the impact of the strike nationally and thought they would not be able to attend as normal.

“This means some people did not attend on the day, needlessly delaying their treatment.

“I would stress that unless a patient has specifically heard from us then they will be seen as normal, so please attend.”