Services at Kingston Hospital will be significantly impacted by strike action taking place from 7am on Thursday 27 June until 7am on Tuesday 2 July.

To make sure patients are kept safe during the industrial action the hospital will need to postpone some appointments and procedures, to allow it to ensure care continues to be available for those with urgent and life-threatening healthcare needs. 

Kingston Hospital say it will contact patients directly if their care is affected and will rearrange appointments as quickly as possible. 

They also say patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless you are told otherwise.

The hospital's Emergency Department (A&E) will remain open during the strike action to treat people who need emergency or urgent care.

Dr William Oldfield, Chief Medical Officer for Kingston Hospital, said: "Our staff are continuing to work hard to minimise disruption to care and treatment during the days of industrial action, but this will be challenging. We would like to thank our patients for their understanding.

"We are asking people to consider different services for medical help or advice, such as their GP or local pharmacist, to help us manage demand.

"Waiting times in our Emergency Department will be longer than usual during the days of strike action and we will be prioritising patients based on the urgency of their clinical need.

"If we feel you could be seen elsewhere, we may redirect you. Our staff may also be more stretched than usual and so we are asking everyone to remain kind and compassionate."

Teddington Urgent Treatment Centre, which is open from 8am until 8pm (7 days a week) provides minor illness and injury services and residents are likely to be seen more quickly there, Kingston Hospital suggests.

Local pharmacies may also be able to help and can provide advice on minor health concerns from skin rashes to earaches and flu.

Many pharmacies stay open late, and no appointment is needed.

Residents can also contact their GP surgery to make an appointment for an illness or injury that won't go away or access their GP's out of hours service.

Junior doctors from the British Medical Association are striking from 7am on 27 June until 7am 2 July for a 35 per cent pay rise.