PREPARATIONS are underway for the latest junior doctors’ strike — and even more hard-hitting industrial action will follow.

In a row over new contracts related to seven-day working arrangements, junior doctors will stage a 48-hour strike from 8am on April 6 and emergency cover is included.

However, it will not be included during a separate from 8am to 5pm on April 26 and 27.

Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust, which runs Fairfield, North Manchester and Royal Oldham hospitals as well as Rochdale Infirmary, said plans are being put in place for all forthcoming industrial action.

A trust spokesman said patients should attend appointments as normal during the next strike unless advised otherwise.

He added: "As with the previous strikes, a number of scheduled non-emergency and planned services will have had to be rearranged."

Cancelled appointments will be rescheduled and those affected will not go to to the back of the queue.

The spokesman asked people to think carefully before visiting A&E during the strike.

He added: "Our A&E staff are already working incredibly hard under huge demand and pressure.

"Local pharmacy, GP, NHS 111 and the NHS Choices website are all able to offer advice and/or treat minor conditions.

“Patients should stock up with any medications in good time beforehand.

"Updates will be issued at pat.nhs.uk"

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "We consulted widely with NHS leaders about the terms of the new contract and they confirmed that it was fair and reasonable.

"We want a seven-day NHS with mortality rates that are no higher at weekends.

"In the interests of patient safety we do need to take difficult decisions. In the end doctors will see this was the right thing for them as well."

A Department of Health spokesman labelled the withdrawal of emergency cover on April 26 and 27 as "both desperate and irresponsible," claiming it will "inevitably put patients in harm's way."

But Dr Johann Malawana, of the BMA, said: "No junior doctor wants to take this action but the government has left us with no choice.

"The government is refusing to get back around the table and is ploughing ahead with plans to impose a contract junior doctors have no confidence in and have roundly rejected."