THE Royal United Hospital in Bath is warning people to expect longer waiting times today as thousands of junior doctors across the UK walk out on strike.

Doctors will put down their instruments and walk out in protest at the proposed pay cuts by the Department of Health which is the first strike action in nearly 40 years.

The RUH Bath NHS Foundation Trust has said they have robust plans in place to ensure patients are safely cared for during the industrial action but added that some delays may occur.

Francesca Thompson, chief operating officer at the RUH, said: "Plans are in place to continue to deliver urgent and emergency care and priority will be given to those patients with the most pressing health needs. For those in less urgent need of care, we ask you to bear with us as you may experience a longer waiting time than you would normally expect.

"In preparation for the strike, inevitably some non-urgent appointments and routine operations are affected and we have already contacted those patients directly to reschedule. If patients have not been contacted by us, they should attend their outpatient appointment as usual. The industrial action is not currently affecting clinics running at the RNHRD site."

Around 5.2 per cent of the workforce is made up of junior doctors and due to the strikes, 22 outpatient clinics have been cancelled.

The Trust said that 91 per cent of their outpatient activity will continue.

They have also issued advice to patients in choosing wisely in the event that they need medical help and said in the first instance people should see a pharmacist, GP or call 111.

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/staywell.