Hospital boss promises patients in need will receive 'excellent' care during junior doctors' strike

The 48-hour action is planned for Wednesday and Thursday.

Professor Martin Wetherill, medical director at Milton Keynes University Hospital, said: “All of our staff have worked hard to ensure we have maintained our excellent levels of care during previous periods of industrial action and I have no doubt they will do so again during this 48-hour period.”

He said patients in need of urgent and emergency care will receive the treatment they need, when they need it. But he admitted waiting times could be longer for other patients.

“Due to increased pressures on the hospital over this 48-hour period those in less urgent need of care may experience longer waiting times than

normal and some planned clinics and operations have been postponed.”

People who have a planned operation, procedure or outpatient appointment on either Wednesday or Thursday will be contacted if it needs to be rearranged.

The hospital is advising anybody needing help for a medical problem that is neither serious nor life-threatening should contact their GP, visit a pharmacist, call 111 or consult www.nhs.uk

Patients with a condition is serious or life threatening, call 999 or go to A&E as usual.

Professor Wetherill said; “We are aware that this extended period of industrial action will bring with it certain challenges but we have once again endeavoured to minimise any disruption to our patients and have avoided, where possible, rescheduling appointments or procedures that may have previously been affected by the industrial action. As always, our number one priority is ensuring our patients remain safe.

“We are contacting those affected by the reduction in our elective services and we will be in touch to rearrange appointments as soon as we can.”