Junior doctors are expected to take part in a 24-hour strike on Wednesday morning.

Macclesfield Hospital staff who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) are striking over attempts to introduce a new contract of employment for junior doctors, and are expected to walk out from 8am on Wednesday (Feburary 10) for 24 hours.

A spokesman for the East Cheshire NHS Trust said other medical staff will help cover the shortfall, but patients should should expect some disruption during the dispute. He said: “East Cheshire NHS Trust, which runs Macclesfield District General Hospital, has put thorough contingencies in place to minimise disruption.

“As a result, patients should attend their appointments during this time period as normal unless instructed otherwise. However, the trust is asking for patients’ understanding in case our services do experience any delays during the action.

Johann Malawana, BMA junior doctors committee chairman, said: “The Government’s entrenched position in refusing to recognise Saturday working as unsocial hours, together with its continued threat to impose a contract so fiercely resisted by junior doctors across England, leaves us with no alternative but to continue with industrial action.”