Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which manages Crewe's Leighton Hospital says "robust" plans are in place for the latest round of industrial action.

They say planned appointments and procedures have been cancelled but emergency services such as A & E and maternity and inpatient wards are still being supported.

Junior doctors are due to start a four-day 96-hour walkout from 7am tomorrow (Friday) until 7am on Tuesday (August 15th).

Dr Clare Hammell, Chief Medical Officer at Mid Cheshire Hospitals said: "We have robust plans in place to ensure that patients remain safe in our care.   

"While we have had to cancel planned appointments and procedures, emergency services such as A&E and maternity are still operating and our inpatient wards are being supported.   

"Where planned services have been affected, patients have been contacted and informed that their appointments will be rescheduled. If they have not heard from us, they should continue to attend as arranged.    

"We urge members of the public to please use NHS 111 Online if they need to access a healthcare service and it's not an emergency, this will ensure they are signposted to the right service first time."   

Hospital consultants are due to take part in a second round of strike action for 48 hours from 7am on Thursday, 24th August 24th until 7am on Saturday August 26th.

NHS Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside are set to be impacted, including Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

A spokesperson said: "We will contact you in advance if your appointment needs to be rescheduled. If you have not heard from us, please come to your appointment as planned – you do not need to contact us. 

"Emergency care and other critical services will be open as usual and people should always call 999 or attend A&E in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency. Please do not hesitate to come forward to access care if you need it."

People are being urged to make NHS 111 Online their first port of call if they need urgent health advice on days of strike action.

NHS 111 Online can tell you:

• Where to get help for your symptoms
• How to find general health information and advice
• Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
• How to get a repeat prescription.