Cheltenham A&E department to close amid strike action
Cheltenham's accident and emergency department will not fully reopen until the New Year due to junior doctors strikes.
Member of the British Medical Association will walk out tomorrow in their ongoing dispute with the government over pay.
They will strike for 4 days until Saturday 23 and then for a further six days after Christmas from January 3 to January 9.
Cheltenham's accident and emergency department will open on Saturday operating as a minor injury and illness unit and will then close again overnight.
Services at the department will not fully resume until January 9.
Anyone needing to use the service is being asked to go to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
The NHS is warning people to only attend the hospital if their condition is serious or life threatening.
Chief Medical Officer at NHS Gloucestershire, Dr Ananthakrishnan Raghuram said:
“The latest round of strikes at the busiest time of the year will bring substantial challenges to the local NHS, particularly hospital services, and we are sorry that many patients will experience disruption to services.
"This is a very challenging environment and decisions on temporary service change have not been taken lightly.
"We cannot emphasise enough how important it will be to keep A&E at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital clear for life threatening conditions and serious injuries.
"The public can help by thinking carefully about their healthcare options and getting advice when needed from NHS 111."