OPERATIONS are set to be cancelled as hundreds of junior doctors across Hampshire go on strike next week in a bitter row with the Government.

Hospital chiefs in Southampton and Winchester have held emergency meetings to try and ensure patients received necessary care 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 University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the General and the Princess Anne, has written to patients to confirm the cancellation of some outpatient clinics and non-urgent theatre operations, in a move it says will allow the redistribution of clinical staff in other areas.

The Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, conceded that scheduled procedures and appointments could face cancellation.

Cathy Paget, who works at Southampton General Hospital's accident and emergency department, says strike action is a last resort after doctors were "backed into a corner".

She said that between 400 and 500 doctors will walk out on Tuesday and stage protests in Guildhall Square and outside the hospital itself.

When asked if she was worried forcing the cancellation of operations would turn opinion against those going on strike, she insisted the public had showed its support for doctors.

Dr Paget said: "I'm really sad that it has come to this but we feel that this is short-term pain for long-term gain.

"We did a day outside the WestQuay Centre a fortnight ago and everybody we spoke to was really supportive - we feel that we have no other option.

"I find it laughable that I'm called militant."

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service is hosting talks between NHS Employers, the Department of Health and the BMA for a second day in a bid to avoid strikes, the first of which is planned for Tuesday.

The talks came after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt performed a U-turn in the hope of avoiding industrial action by thousands of doctors.

He 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.

Jay Amin from Winchester is training to be a junior doctor, but is currently is taking a year out carrying out medical research for the University of Southampton.

The 33-year-old is hopeful that a deal can be thrashed out before December 1.

He said: "I think that junior doctors and the British Medical Association and Jeremy Hunt should be doing everything they can to avoid striking and that process is happening right now.

"I hope it can be avoided but if the Health Secretary continues to insist on imposing a contract which is unsafe for doctors and patient, then it won’t."

Dr Caroline Marshall, chief operating officer at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Since the announcement, human resources and senior clinical staff across the trust have been working alongside junior doctor representatives and the BMA to develop plans to minimise disruption to patients.

"To ensure our hospitals run as safely and as effectively as possible during the periods of strike action, we expect to cancel some outpatient clinics and non-urgent theatre lists to reallocate clinical staff in other areas."

Mary Edwards, chief executive at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "In preparation for a national strike we have agreed a plan with our consultants and other staff to ensure all of our patients are kept safe and well cared for.

"We might need to reschedule some of our planned appointments and procedures to ensure doctors are available to care for emergency patients on the days affected by strike action.

"Patients should continue to attend the hospital as normal unless they have been contacted by the hospital to make alternative arrangements."