Salisbury District Hospital has issued a statement advising patients on what to expect during the first junior doctors’ strike of the year.

A six-day strike is planned to take place from 7am on Wednesday, January 3 to 7am on Tuesday, January 9.

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Salisbury District Hospital said it would be very busy during the period of industrial action but would “continue to focus on providing safe patient care and maintaining critical services”.

Salisbury District Hospital added: “Patients should only call 999 or attend A&E if it is an urgent or life-threatening health emergency. It is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases.”

The hospital further said that any patients with appointments who have not been notified of their cancellation should proceed to attend as scheduled.