The junior doctor strike - how will it affect you?

Junior doctors will strike for 24 hours Credit: PA

Junior doctors in the West have voted to strike for 24 hours from midnight tonight after a row with the Government over contract changes.

Our Health Correspondent, Katie Rowlett answers your questions ahead of the proposed action:

When are the strikes?

  • The strike is planned for the 1 December where junior doctors will only provide emergency care.

  • This will then be followed by an all-out walkout from 8am to 5pm on 8 December and then 16 December.

How will the strike affect patients?

  • Hospitals in the West will only be able to provide emergency care at what is usually the busiest time of the year for the NHS.

  • Each NHS Trust will determine individually how and when they contact patients in response to the strike action, NHS England said.

  • In 2012, when more limited action was taken over pensions, the Department of Health estimated one in ten patients had an operation, outpatients appointment or treatment rescheduled - around 2,700 in total. The BMA thought a quarter of non urgent care had to be postponed.

What if you need emergency care?

  • Consultants, nurses and the other healthcare professionals have said they will step in during the strike to provide emergency care.

What if you have an operation scheduled?

  • Thousands of planned operations will be rearranged.

  • Urgent, life-saving, and emergency treatment will go ahead.

  • Non-urgent operations and outpatient appointments will be rescheduled.

  • Trusts are currently reviewing the range of services they believe will be affected by the action, NHS England said.

  • Rearranging of operations will be dictated by each individual Trust.

What if you have an outpatient appointment?

  • Most outpatient clinics are expected to be closed during the strike and appointments will be rearranged.

Junior doctors protest against the proposed changes

Who are junior doctors?

  • They qualified medical practitioners working up to consultant or GP level. Many have years of experience working in the NHS.

Why do they want to strike?

  • A junior doctors have told ITV News they doesn't want to strike, but feels the "future of the NHS depends on it".

  • Nearly all junior doctors voted in favour of the strike - with 99 % voting for industrial action and 98% voting in favour of full strike.

What if you are concerned?

  • If you are a patient with concerns about the strike action you can call your NHS health trust for more information.

  • You can also call the BMA Helpline on: 0845 609 2008

READ MORE: Junior doctors vote in favour of strike action.