People across Cheshire are being urged to 'use NHS services appropriately' ahead of this week's five-day strike by resident doctors.

The walk out will commence at 7am on Wednesday 17 December and end at 7am on Monday 22 December.

As the 14th strike since the long-running dispute began in March 2023, it follows another five-day walkout in mid-November.

"With this being our busiest time of the year, we're asking for the public's support in continuing to use NHS services appropriately," said NHS Cheshire and Merseyside's medical director, Professor Rowan Pritchard Jones.

"The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage any disruption, including industrial action, but inevitably a walkout on this scale will lead to significant service disruption.

"You should still call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. But if you need urgent medical help and you're not sure where to go, use NHS 111 online to get assessed and directed to the right place for you".

The strike was announced after the British Medical Association (BMA) rejected the latest offer from the government, which included increasing speciality training posts and covering out-of-pocket expenses like exam fees.

Despite a number of pay rises, the BMA argues that resident doctors' pay is still a fifth lower than it was in 2008, once inflation is taken into account.

The union revealed that 83% of its members voted to continue with the walkout in an online poll over the weekend - with a turnout of 65%

The Countess of Chester Hospital is urging the public to use NHS 111 for all non-emergency healthcare needs ahead of the strike, which is likely to create significant challenges amidst increased demand for urgent and emergency care. The NHS will continue to deliver planned care where possible, especially for patients in greatest clinical need.

Those with planned appointments are to attend as normal unless contacted directly by the NHS to reschedule.