OPERATIONS are set to be cancelled as junior doctors across Dorset go on strike tomorrow in a bitter row with the government.

Hospital chiefs in Bournemouth and Poole say they have contigency plans but that some non-urgent operations will have to be put off after doctors voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

Fears were raised that the three separate walk-outs - the first being held on Tuesday - would cause major disruption and the NHS has admitted that junior workers will provide emergency care only.

The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Trust say: "Our main priority is ensuring that patient safety is maintained at all times.

"We are going to redirect some of our consultant medical staff and other clinical staff to cover the roles that junior doctors would normally be undertaking. This means that our emergency services and any patients staying in the hospital will be unaffected.

"As a consequence, we are postponing some planned appointments and procedures. We are writing to all the patients and service users who are affected by this.

"Patients who have not received a letter rearranging their appointment or procedure should presume that this will take place and should come to the hospital as planned."

Robert Talbot, medical director at Poole Hospital, said: "Poole Hospital has a good relationship with its staff and is working closely with junior doctors and the BMA to put in place processes to ensure essential services are protected.

"The objective is to maintain patient safety and the smooth running of the hospital during this period.

"In order to maintain safe care we are currently rearranging some outpatients and surgery appointments to enable consultants and other clinical staff to support inpatient care on the days of action.We apologise in advance for any inconvenience that this may cause you, your friends and family.

"We would like to reassure you that at all times the welfare and safety of our patients is paramount. With a planned and measured approach we hope to be able to minimise any disruption on our services during the next few weeks."

Dorset County Hospital is telling patients to assume their appointment is going ahead unless they hear otherwise.

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service is hosting talks between NHS Employers, the Department of Health and the BMA in a bid to avoid strikes.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had previously said he would not agree to talks unless BMA officials came back to the negotiating table first.

But in a letter to the BMA's chairman, Dr Mark Porter, on Wednesday, he said "any talks are better than strikes", which themselves posed a "serious threat" to patient safety.