OPERATIONS and outpatient clinics look set to be cancelled and patients have been warned they face longer waiting times after junior doctors voted to strike.

However East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said it would ensure ‘robust measures’ were in place to protect patient safety during three days of industrial action next month.

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Junior doctors will provide emergency care only for 24 hours from 8am on December 1, followed by full walk outs from 8am to 5pm on December 8 and 16.

Health campaigners and MPs said they were ‘very worried’ about patient safety during the action, which is likely to affect hundreds of people in the area.

They have urged the BMA to get back around the negotiation table with the Department of Health in a last-ditch attempt to avert the strikes.

Dr David Wrigley, Lancashire BMA representative, described the prospective strike action as ‘unprecedented’.

He said: “It’s unprecedented to see such a massive vote in favour of strike action. We must remember that junior doctors are not asking for more pay.

“It’s all about a safe and fair contract, one that protects patients and the NHS.

“That’s why junior doctors came out in such massive numbers about strike action.”

Dr Damian Riley, medical director at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said he wanted to reassure the public following the vote.

He said: “The trust will be putting plans in place in readiness for any industrial action.

“We are working with the local Clinical Commissioning Groups to ensure that we have robust measures that protect the safety, welfare and service we provide to our patients.

“We will also be working with our junior doctors to understand how many will be taking part in any proposed action.

“Patients in need of urgent and emergency care will continue to receive the treatment they need, when they need it.

“However, it is possible that with increased pressures on the trust over this period, those in less urgent need of care may experience longer waiting times than normal and some elective operations and outpatient clinics may need to be rearranged.

“Any affected patients will be contacted. In all cases, priority will be given to those patients with the most pressing health needs.”

Russ McLean, chairman of Patient Voices Group Pennine Lancashire, said: “It will cause suffering to those in need of care. Hospitals will have to cancel thousands of planned operations and out-patient appointments.

“Patients have empathy and are sympathetic to the plight of junior doctors but the strike will have a massive impact on the way patients view doctors.

“This and the previous Government have systematically destroyed services and morale.

“Although no-one disagrees that to survive there are going to have to be dramatic changes in the way NHS services are delivered, I personally am very fearful for the future of our wonderful NHS.

“Hopefully Acas will find a way to sort out this mess.”

Pendle Tory MP Andrew Stephenson described the vote, in which 98 per cent of respondents supported strike action, as ‘very disappointing’.

He said: “I have spoken to a number of junior doctors in my patch who have concerns but most of their concerns have now been addressed by the Department of Health.

“I feel that they are being badly led and in some cases misled by the BMA. I think it is completely wrong for them to strike as it will jeopardise patient safety. I would ask the BMA to get round the negotiating table with the Department of Health.”

However Graham Jones, Labour MP for Hyndburn, said: “Junior doctors know what is best for junior doctors.

“They are probably best qualified to decide what is best for them.

“I’m sure junior doctors are well aware that strike action can’t be allowed to endanger or put at risk the wellbeing and care of vulnerable and at risk patients.”

Kate Hollern, MP for Blackburn, accused the Government of failing to value the NHS.

She said: “I am concerned that the Government does not value the NHS.

“Junior doctors feel totally demoralised and devalued by the minister’s threat to impose contracts that could put both doctors and patients at risk.

“I would urge David Cameron to intervene and ask Acas to get involved before junior doctors are forced to take action.”

The BMA said it was still keen to avoid strike action and had asked Acas for talks with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and NHS Employers, which is running negotiations for the Government.

Rehana Azam, GMB national officer, said: “This overwhelming vote shows clearly that doctors and other NHS staff will oppose attempts by Government to redefine unsocial hours and to open the door for excessive working hours.”