Patients advised on services amid doctors' strike

NHS Kent and Medway has warned patients to think carefully while resident doctors strike

Patients across south-east England have been told to think carefully about which NHS services they use as resident doctors go on strike.

NHS Kent and Medway has said they will prioritise emergency and critical services and hope to operate as usual while industrial action goes ahead from 07:00 BST Friday until Wednesday.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said it expected to be "exceptionally busy" and that "disruption should be expected".

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust said it had "robust plans in place to make sure our patients continue to receive safe, quality care".

Patients have been told to attend scheduled appointments unless they are contacted and told otherwise.

NHS Kent and Medway's chief medical officer Kate Langford said: "We are urging everyone to make sure they use the appropriate services and keep emergency care for those who really need it."

Anyone needing medical help should use 111 as the first port of call, according to NHS Kent and Medway.

Ms Langford said: "Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk."

The integrated care board has also said it is working hard to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, as well as those undergoing cancer surgery.

Resident doctors, previously called junior doctors, voted to take strike action over a long-running pay dispute at the start of July.

Doctors were awarded a 5.4% pay rise for this financial year, following a 22% increase over the previous two years.

The British Medical Association (BMA) says wages are still around 20% lower in real terms than in 2008.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.