Junior doctors in Bolton are set to walk out as they stage two rounds of industrial strike action during the Christmas and New Year period.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced the first set strikes will take place from 7am on Wednesday, December 20 to 7am on Saturday, December 23.

They will then strike again cross six consecutive days, starting at 7am on Wednesday January 3 and finishing at 7am on Tuesday January 9.

Health bosses in Bolton are warning the strikes will have a significant impact on its services during this time, as teams prioritise the delivery of emergency care to keep the sickest patients safe.

Patients are being warned that to help them manage the pressures during the strike action, many routine appointments and procedures will be postponed.

The trust will contact people directly if their appointment has been postponed, and if they haven’t heard from trust, appointments should be attended as normal.

Dr. Sophie Kimber Craig, Associate Medical Director at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re approaching what is already one of the busiest times of the year for us and there is no doubt that this level of planned strike action will create an even greater strain on many of our services.

“We recognise there will be significant disruption, but we have tried and tested plans in place and our staff will be doing everything they can to provide essential and emergency care.

“To make sure we can prioritise delivering care to those who need it most, we also really need the support of communities across Bolton.

“As we always are, we’ll be here for you in emergencies, but if your condition isn’t urgent, please consider using alternative services, such as your GP, pharmacist, or NHS 111 online, as they may be able to provide you with care and treatment sooner.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank people across Bolton for their ongoing patience and understanding, and please remember to show kindness and respect to our staff as they work incredibly hard over this festive period to keep us all safe.”

Throughout this challenging period, urgent and emergency services are still available to help those who need it.

If your condition is not an emergency or life or limb threatening, consider using a different service for your care:

– NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week either online or by phone
– Make an appointment with your local GP
– Visit your local pharmacy

BMA junior doctors committee co-chairs Dr Rob Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi said: “Our dispute started 14 months ago and before this last round of talks, the Government hadn’t formally engaged with us for almost six months. During these delays we were forced out on strike and patients’ care was needlessly disrupted.

“We are ready, as ever, to work towards bringing this dispute to an end but when we reached our mutually agreed deadline, and the pay offer on the table would have seen a large cohort of doctors still receive a pay cut this year, it was clear we hadn’t made enough progress.

“Overall we welcomed the constructive approach from these most recent talks and would very much like them to continue in an attempt to avert this industrial action, but it is the Government’s precondition not to talk while strikes are scheduled which is preventing this from happening.

“The Government can still avoid the need for these strikes: we will be ready and willing any time they want to talk. If a credible offer can be presented the day before, or even during any action, these strikes can be cancelled.

“Every winter we raise the alarm about the NHS and every winter the Government fails to put the necessary investment into staff to prevent the crisis – now is the time to break the trend.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.