CONTINGENCY plans are being drawn up as junior doctors across Sussex prepare to start the first of three planned strikes next week.

The industrial action on Tuesday (dec 1) comes after 98 per cent of doctors voted in favour of a strike following a ballot by the British Medical Association.

Pre-planned operations and outpatient appointments at hospitals in Sussex are expected to be affected although bosses say every effort will be made to minimise disruption.

The escalating dispute stems from Government plans to impose a new seven day contract on doctors, ranging from junior to consultant level, next year.

It is part of moves to create a “seven-day” NHS service across the country.

Doctors say the NHS already provides a week long service and changing working conditions will only encourage young doctors to leave the NHS or work abroad.

They also say the 11 per cent pay rise offered by health secretary Jeremy Hunt does not take into account the subsequent reduction in out-of-hours work, which currently makes up a large amount of the salary for A&E doctors in particular.

Medics warn the effective pay cut will put doctors off working in A&E and departments and patients will suffer.

Senior medics including Brighton’s Royal Sussex County Hospital A&E consultant Rob Galloway and consultant anaesthetists and intensive care staff at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust have backed the decision by junior doctors to strike.

A Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust spokesman said: “We have detailed, speciality-specific plans to ensure any potential disruption from the proposed strike is kept to a minimum.”

Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust deputy medical director: Rob Haigh said: “The safety of our patients is our number one priority and we are working with colleagues to understand the full implications of the action voted for by junior doctors.

“We will do all we can to maintain services but if it is necessary to postpone some planned services we will contact the patients affected directly, giving as much notice as possible.”

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has also been making arrangements to minimise disruption.

Juniors will provide emergency care only for 24 hours from 8am on Tuesday, followed by full walkouts from 8am to 5pm on December 8 and 16.