Junior doctors and consultants are preparing for a 72 hour walk out after failing to secure a pay deal.

The strike action is set to begin at 7am on Monday, October 2 and last until Thursday, October 5.

The NHS has warned this is highly likely to have a significant impact on health services across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB).

In preparation the NHS is working to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and ensure priority for patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery.

The NHS will only reschedule appointments and procedures where necessary and will rebook immediately, where possible.

Unfortunately, these strikes will affect planned and routine services.

The NHS has asked that patients who have a scheduled appointment attend as planned unless they hear from the NHS directly that the appointment has been changed.

In the meantime, the public have been asked to use the 111 online111.nhs.uk, ensure their prescriptions are up to date and looking out for vulnerable family and friends.

Dr Nick Broughton, interim Chief Executive of the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, said: "NHS staff working during the industrial action will be working hard in hospitals, community teams, GP services and pharmacies to keep people safe and respond to their needs.

"NHS staff are working very hard during a very challenging time – please do treat them with respect. We appreciate people's understanding and co-operation during this time.

"Emergencies, critical care, maternity, trauma and neonatal care safe staffing will be our absolute priority, but it will involve the NHS working together across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West to ensure we are there for people at their moment of need. We are grateful to all our colleagues working during this time to keep services running and patients safe.”

Dr Rachael de Caux, Chief Medical Officer of the NHS  Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board and consultant in Emergency Medicine said: “It is important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

“We expect Emergency Departments to be very busy during strike action so please think carefully about choosing the most appropriate NHS Service for your needs and only use 999 and A&E for serious or life threatening emergencies, such as chest pain, severe bleeding or breathing difficulties.

"NHS 111 online remains the best place to help you get to the part of the NHS that can best respond to your needs. There are also minor injury units, urgent treatment centres and community pharmacies open each day if you need help or more urgent attention. It may take longer during this period to be seen and treated so we ask you to please be patient. ”