PATIENTS are being advised to turn up for their hospital appointments as normal during tomorrow's junior doctor's strike, unless they have been told to stay away.

Hospital bosses at Bradford Teaching Hospitals and at Airedale General Hospital said some re-arrangement of appointments had been made but contingency plans were in place for the second 24-hour walk-out since January over a new contract and pay.

Officials at the British Medical Association tonight said the industrial action would be going ahead despite last-minute talks with the Government.

Pickets will be outside Bradford Royal Infirmary's entrances from 8am until around noon tomorrow and doctors at Airedale General Hospital will also be at the site's Skipton Road entrance urging passing people to show their support by beeping car horns.

Dr Nicola Holmes said doctors from the hospital would also be manning a Meet Your Doctor stand in Keighley town centre between the bus station and Airedale Shopping Centre between 1pm and 3pm to answer any questions from the public about why the strike was happening.

A BMA spokesman said: “As the BMA has consistently made clear, we would prefer to reach agreement on the junior contract through negotiation and are prepared to follow up every opportunity to do so. No doctor wants to take industrial action, but the Secretary of State’s mishandling and continued intransigence has brought us to this position."

A spokesman for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Arrangements have been made to ensure that patient safety and levels of care are not compromised by any industrial action, and all essential services, such as emergency and urgent surgery, will continue as normal.

“We strive, wherever possible, to avoid cancelling routine appointments and clinics. Any affected patients have been notified and if patients have not heard from us they should attend their appointments as normal.”

And Stacey Hunter, director of operations at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust also said patient's safety was its priority. She said: "Patient safety is our priority and we are working with our staff, including consultants, nurses, other health professionals and union representatives, to ensure high quality and safe care and welfare are maintained.

“There has been a need to rearrange some of our planned activities such as outpatient appointments and non-emergency operations, we have contingency plans in place to ensure that any urgent and emergency care can continue. We have contacted anyone whose appointment or operation has been affected and will do our best to reschedule these as soon as possible. If patients have not heard from us they should attend their appointments as normal.”

Anyone needing non-emergency medical help during the industrial action should consider NHS Choices, visit their local pharmacy or call their GP or NHS 111 for more serious matters. If it is an emergency or is life-threatening call 999 as usual or go to A&E.