Patients using health services across Cumbria have been warned that there could be disruption to planned operations and outpatients appointments as junior doctors stage a two-day strike.

The walkout was taking the unprecedented step of withdrawing all emergency cover with industrial action scheduled to take place today (TUE) and tomorrow (WED) between 8am and 5pm.

The standoff between the British Medical Association (BMA), which represents junior doctors and the Government centres around controversial new contracts.

The Government has said it will impose a new contract on them without their agreement with doctors saying the terms will harm patient safety by incentivising unsafe shift rosters.

MPs hoped that the strike could be avoided but last-ditch efforts by ministers failed to break the deadlock between the two sides.

Hospitals and other services in Cumbria are bracing themselves for potential widespread disruption.

Dr David Rogers, medical director for NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and lead for the North Cumbria System Resilience Group said: "All of the NHS organisations across Cumbria have tried and tested plans in place, however, unlike during previous periods of industrial action we know that emergency cover is being withdrawn.

"Our trusts have had to increase cover by increasing consultants and other NHS staff during this time. It could lead to greater disruption for planned operations and outpatient appointments than we have seen in previous strikes.

“The public can help the NHS by thinking carefully before using NHS services. We would urge people to make use of pharmacists, www.nhs.uk and NHS 111, if appropriate. They can all provide helpful advice.”

Trusts across England have reported that they expect 12,711 operations to be postponed over the period of April 18 to May 2. A further 112,856 outpatient appointments are expected to be postponded over the same period.

Patients affected by the strike will be contacted by the NHS.

Dr Anne Rainsberry, national incident director for NHS England, said: “The NHS exists to care for and treat patients and it is with enormous regret that we find patients put in this position.

“We have focused our efforts on essential services including emergency care but the effects of this action will be felt far and wide with thousands of people having their operations postponed and their care disrupted for which we sincerely apologise."

BMA members in Carlisle will be joined on the picket line by members of the Trade Unionist and Socialist coalition. Brent Kennedy, from the group, said: "They aren't just fighting for their own interests but for all of us because they are defending the interests of the NHS itself."