THE Countess of Chester Hospital will be providing emergency and urgent care only during the junior doctors’ strike this week.

Junior doctors are planning to take national industrial action from 8am on Tuesday for 24 hours.

If industrial action goes ahead as planned the Countess of Chester Hospital will be providing emergency and urgent care only.

A spokesman for the hospital said: “While this may mean that all outpatient appointments will be cancelled, inpatient care and urgent surgery will continue to be provided.

“The planned strike action will end at 8am on Wednesday, January 13, but it is likely that it will cause some disruption to local services in the days ahead.

“NHS West Cheshire CCG is urging local people to keep self-care a top priority. Patients with complex or long term conditions should ensure that they have enough medication to reduce the risk of requiring emergency treatment.

“For minor ailments or advice you should visit your local pharmacist, contact the NHS 111 telephone service or consult your GP. The NHS

Choices website is also helpful. For further information visit: http://www.nhs.uk/staywell/

“The GP Out of Hours service is available in West Cheshire after 6.30pm on weekdays, at weekends and Bank Holidays by telephoning 01244 385300. This service is for patients with urgent healthcare needs.”