Junior doctors across the UK are staging and unprecedented walkout six day walkout, expecting to cause severe disruption for people awaiting treatment. 

Junior doctors have voted in favour of industrial action from 7am on Wednesday January 3 to Tuesday January 9.

The walkout follows the breakdown of pay talks last month between the government and the British medical association. 

Planned operations and appointments are cancelled across all mid and south Essex NHS foundation trust hospitals - Basildon, Southend and Broomfield hospitals are affected and mid and south Essex foundation trust have contacted patients to inform of cancellations. 

If you have not been informed of cancellations, you are advised to attend your hospital appointments as normal.

Emergency departments will remain open for people who need life-saving treatment or emergency care during the period of industrial action.

Mid and South Essex trust have warned paltients to be aware that there could be long waits to be seen if you attend emergency departments during this period of strike action. 

If you need non-emergency medical care or advice, please call the NHS 111 helpline, or visit NHS 111 Online.