HOSPITAL bosses in Worcestershire say they are fully prepared to cope during an all-out strike by junior doctors taking place over the next two days.

The strike began at 8am this morning and will see junior doctors walk out in protest at an ongoing row with health secretary Jeremy Hunt over a new contract.

Hari Babu, a junior doctor, said: "We would love for the public to come out and support us this morning. This is not a fight about pay, it's a fight about conditions."

In previous strikes junior doctors have still provided emergency care, but this time the industrial action will see a full walk-out by junior doctors, with no emergency cover provided between 8am and 5pm today or tomorrow.

Local NHS organisations are working together to minimise disruption to services and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust - which runs Redditch's Alex Hospital - says it has plans in place to mitigate the disruption.

Rab McEwan, interim chief operating officer, said: “We have been working with doctors not affected by the strike, nurses and other clinical staff on robust plans to ensure that appropriate care is delivered.

“Normal services our hospitals provide will be affected and we are in touch with the patients concerned, however, if you have an appointment on either Tuesday or Wednesday and haven’t heard from us, we still want to see you."

However during the strike, patients are being urged to only visit A&E in an emergency.

Mr McEwan said: “Patients in need of emergency hospital care will continue to receive the treatment they need when they need it. In all cases priority will be given to those patients with the most pressing health needs.

“A&E is for medical emergencies and people facing life-threatening conditions such as serious accidents, serious burns, breathing problems, heart attacks and strokes.

“Anyone who needs help in such circumstances should not hesitate in calling 999.

"There are other healthcare options available for less serious situations – such as visiting your pharmacist or GP, calling NHS 111 or using nhs.uk.”