HOSPITALS are making preparations for threatened strike action by junior doctors at the busiest time of year for the NHS.

Both the Royal Bournemouth (RBH) and Poole hospitals said they had contingency plans in place should the strikes, proposed by the British Medical Association, go ahead. The results of the ballot are due to be revealed today.

If there is a Yes vote, junior doctors will only provide emergency care for 24 hours from 8am on December 1, followed by full walkouts from 8am to 5pm on December 8 and 16.

A spokesman for RBH said the trust "very much hoped" the strike would be called off.

"We will be planning for a major disruption to services, should the strike go ahead," he said.

"All non-emergency work would need to be curtailed, so that we can redirect consultant medical staff, and other clinical staff, to cover the roles junior doctors would normally be undertaking.

"We have started planning for the effects pending the ballot and will do all we can to ensure patient safety is maintained.

"We very much hope there can be a mediated settlement before any of these dates."

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said the proposed strikes - the latest stage of a fierce dispute over pay and conditions - are "totally unwarranted" and will harm vulnerable patients.

Mr Hunt has claimed that the BMA refuses to negotiate, and that under the latest deal offered just one per cent of doctors - those already working too many hours - would lose pay.

However the BMA claims this is misleading as it ignores cuts to pay for work done at evenings and weekends. The association said it had revealed the proposed strike dates in advance so trusts were able to prepare and minimise the impact on patients.

Robert Talbot, medical director at Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Poole Hospital has a good relationship with its staff and is working closely with junior doctor colleagues to assess the impact of industrial action should it occur. The priority is to put in place processes to ensure the smooth running of the hospital on the proposed days of action. To ensure this senior managers are meeting on a regular basis and a support structure will be put in place on those days to oversee and manage the situation.

“We would like to reassure our patients and their friends and families that at all times the welfare and safety of our patients is paramount and that we will do everything we can to minimise disruption.”