Operations may have to be postponed at Shropshire's hospitals as junior doctors plan strike

But bosses at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust have assured patients that disruption will be kept to a minimum.

On Monday, the British Medical Association announced strike action will take place on Tuesday after talks with the NHS Employers about pay and working hours for junior doctors failed to resolve the problem.

The news comes after similar plans for action in November were called off at the last minute.

Dr Edwin Borman, medical director at SaTH said: "As with the announcement last November, we recognise that this period of national industrial action will lead to some concern amongst our patients.

"But I can once again assure them that we are working hard across both our hospitals to ensure that any impact on patients is kept to a minimum.

"Our discussions with the BMA and our Junior Doctors have been very positive and we are all clear that we will work together to ensure patient safety.

"In addition all of our junior doctors understand their obligations in this respect under the GMC's Good Medical Practice.

"There will, naturally, be some impact for some of our patients, potentially having elective operations or clinics postponed, but we will notify anyone who is affected in advance and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

Talks are ongoing between the Government and union representatives discussing the Government's offer from early November, including an 11 per cent rise in basic pay for junior doctors.

But the plans also include cutting the number of hours on a weekend for which junior doctors can claim extra pay for unsocial hours.

The strike action will see junior doctors provide emergency care only from 8am on Tuesday followed by a 48-hour stoppage and the provision of emergency care only from 8am on January 26.

On February 10, there will be a full withdrawal of labour from 8am to 5pm.

The strikes could once again be called off at the last minute if a solution can be found.

Simon Wright, Chief Executive at SaTH, added: "Whilst we will work hard to keep the impact on our patients to a minimum during this national action, this is another opportunity to remind people to ensure they are prepared for any disruption.

"We would encourage those looking after vulnerable groups – such as the elderly, children and people with long-term conditions – to take steps to know who they can contact if they need medical care during this period.

"If you are feeling unwell please do not wait, take advice from your GP or pharmacist, or contact NHS111. If you have regular medication, please make sure you have collected your prescription from the GP and have been to the pharmacist to collect it, and have it to hand.

"If you are not sure what sort of help you need, you can speak to clinically trained staff by calling NHS111, who can give professional advice to get you to the most appropriate care quickly and easily.

"Additionally the Stay Well website at www.nhs.uk/staywell contains advice on how to make the best choices for you and your family when accessing healthcare services.

"Your local pharmacy can offer advice on common problems such as coughs, colds, aches and pains and can also help you decide whether you need to see a doctor.

"Self-care is the most effective option when you have flu or a cold, which can't be treated by antibiotics, but will respond to bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids and some over-the-counter medications."