HOSPITALS are braced for chaos over the bank holiday weekend following a two-day strike by junior doctors.

The end of the walkout means patients who adhered to advice to stay away from A&E are now expected to seek help.

At Southend Hospital, 83 per cent of junior doctors took part in the industrial action on Tuesday and Wednesday, with 535 clinic appointments and 84 operations cancelled..

Jon Findlay, chief operating officer, said the hospital coped well despite the disruption, but warned an emergency action plan was still in place

He said: “We spent several weeks putting detailed plans in place to manage the impact of the action and, as a result, the hospital coped very well to ensure the safety of our patients was maintained throughout.

“We did regrettably have to cancel a number of outpatient appointments and elective admissions to free up our clinical staff to look after the emergency patients.

“We would like to apologise to any patients whose treatment has been delayed as a consequence of the industrial action and new appointments will be offered a soon as possible.

“Whilst things are looking busier today in our emergency department, we have already put in place detailed plans to manage additional demand accordingly.

“With the bank holiday weekend fast approaching, we continue to urge patients to think carefully about whether our emergency department is the right place to come for non-urgent complaints.”

Basildon Hospital cancelled 420 appointments and 22 operations because of the walkout, which saw junior doctors withdraw all emergency care for the first time in the dispute over pay and working hours.

Echo:

Warning: Basildon Hospital's Nigel Kee

Nigel Kee, chief operating officer for Basildon Hospital, said bank holidays are always busier than usual.

Patients with minor illnesses or injuries are urged to visit a pharmacy or call NHS 111 if they are unable to wait for GP surgeries to reopen on Tuesday.

Mr Kee said: "We used our tried and tested business continuity plans during the junior doctor’s strike, which worked well over the two days to ensure a safe service for all our patients.

“Bank holiday weekends are normally busier for our emergency department anyway due to community services, such as GP surgeries being reduced.

“If you need medical care over the weekend, or any day of the week, only come to Basildon Hospital if you have a life-threatening or serious injury or condition.

“Our attention is always focused on treating those patients who are the sickest and at most risk.”

The Government wants to impose a new contract on junior doctors which would see their salary increase but rates for weekend working cut.