THE Junior doctors vote for industrial action expected to cause some disruption at Southend Hospital.

Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is expecting some disruption to services after junior doctors voted to take industrial action.

The British Medical Association (BMA) announced the results of a ballot which was undertaken in relation to the proposed new contract for doctors-in-training.

BMA junior doctor members have voted to take action at the following times:

From 8am, Tuesday 1 December to 8am Wednesday 2 December - to provide emergency care only.

From 8am to 5pm, Tuesday 8 December – a full walk out.

From 8am to 5pm, Wednesday 16 December - A full walk out.

The trust has detailed plans in order to manage any impact the proposed action will have on our services, and we would like to reassure our local communities that the safety of our patients is always our priority.

They expect to run all emergency services for patients along with other urgent care such as cancer, maternity services and dialysis.

The hospital ask that if you are unwell to choose the most suitable service for the treatment you need including pharmacists, GPs and NHS111 and to only use A&E in an emergency.

They are currently reviewing their outpatient services and hope to run as many as possible, as the majority are delivered by our consultants.

However there is likely to be some impact to routine inpatient elective procedures, such as planned operations and some outpatient clinics.

If there are any changes to an appointment that you have scheduled at Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on any day of action, the hospital says you will be contacted.

If a patient does not hear,  assume the appointment remains unchanged.

However should you have any concerns please call the number at the top of your appointment letter to speak to the department.