Industrial action by junior doctors from the British Medical Association (BMA) is taking place at all NHS organisations - including Leighton Hospital - from 7am today (July 13th) until 7am on July 18th. 

Industrial action by consultant doctors who are members of the BMA is also set to take place, from 7am on 20 July until 7am on Saturday 22 July. 

Hospital bosses say they have "robust plans in place" to ensure patients stay safe and well while the industrial action, being take over pay, continues.

Dr Clare Hammel, Chief Medical Officer at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "Mid Cheshire Hospitals is affected by the Junior Doctors Industrial Action. We have robust plans in place to ensure that patients remain safe in our care. 

"While we have had to cancel planned appointments and procedures, emergency services such as A&E and maternity are still operating and our inpatient wards are being supported. 

 "Where planned services have been affected, patients have been contacted and informed that their appointments will be rescheduled. If they have not heard from us they should continue to attend as arranged. 

 "We urge members of the public to please use NHS 111 Online if they need to access a healthcare service and it's not an emergency, this will ensure they are signposted to the right service first time.