JUNIOR doctors are set to strike from today (Wednesday, December 20).

Across the region, junior doctors are taking part in strike action from 7am Wednesday, December 20 to 7am Saturday, December 23, creating significant challenges for the NHS with staff already managing record demand across emergency care.

The NHS will prioritise urgent and emergency care as senior clinicians, including consultants and specialist doctors, step in to cover for junior doctors, who make up 50% of the medical workforce.

Dr Michael Gregory, Regional Medical Director for NHS England North West, said: “NHS staff have been working incredibly hard to plan and prepare for the busy winter months, but this period of industrial action, just days before Christmas and the New Year, will stretch services even further. A significant amount of planned care will be affected, and many services will have avoided scheduling planned appointments altogether. Thank you to the public for continuing to use NHS services wisely during industrial action.

“If you need medical help, don’t hesitate to come forward. Use 999 and A&E departments for emergency and life-threatening situations, and 111 online for less urgent health advice.”

The latest strikes by junior doctors are expected to cause widespread disruption – from the impact on almost all routine care, to an extra admin burden and difficulties with discharging patients.

During this period of action, the NHS is reminding the public they should continue to use health services as they usually would – using 999 and A&E in life threatening and emergency situations, and using 111 online for less-urgent health concerns. GPs and pharmacies can be used by the public for health advice and appointments as normal.

Dr Gregory added: “If you have a health need, please do contact your GP and local pharmacy for health advice and appointments. If you have an appointment scheduled, please continue to attend unless you are told otherwise.”

After Christmas and New Year, the longest action ever by junior doctors is also planned from 7am January 3 to 7am January 9, meaning that in the coming three weeks, only four weekdays in the NHS are unaffected by holidays or industrial action.