Senior doctors have been called in to help run hospitals in east Kent during tomorrow’s (Tuesday) planned junior doctors’ strike.

The East Kent hospitals trust - which looks after the William Harvey in Ashford, as well as Kent and Canterbury Hospital and the QEQM hospital in Margate - says it has also rescheduled some non urgent appointments in order to cope with doctor shortages.

It has also reassured patients that it will continue to provide "safe and effective services for patients who will need our care on strike action days".

A statement says: “East Kent Hospitals Trust has business continuity plans in place that cover industrial action.

“As well as increasing senior doctor presence on strike days, we have taken measures to increase capacity in our hospitals to ensure we can see and treat patients who require urgent or immediate care.

“These measures include rescheduling some non-urgent appointments.”

There will be three spells of strike action across England by junior doctors in the coming weeks.

The first is scheduled for tomorrow (January 12) between 8am and 8pm. Other days include Tuesday, January 26 between 8am and 8pm and on Wednesday, February 10 between 8am and 5pm.

Emergency care will be provided tomorrow and on January 26, however a full walk out is planned for February 10.

The strike comes after junior doctors’ leaders objected to the proposed new contract outlined by the government, which includes new rules for pay and hours.

Tomorrow’s day of industrial action comes in the same week that the trust’s new permanent chief executive starts at the hospitals.

Matthew Kershaw, who was appointed in November last year, started in his new role on Friday.

As well as the strike by junior staff, Mr Kershaw’s first week also includes a possible bed crisis at Canterbury’s hospital.

Today, 16 extra beds have been brought in to deal with “the high demand for A&E services”.

A statement from chief operating officer Jane Ely said that the emergency department was under “considerable pressure” last week.

She added: “However, high demand for A&E services is normal across the NHS throughout the winter.

“As part of its winter planning, the Trust had prepared for a surge in demand during the coldest months.

“This includes the opening of 16 additional beds at Kent and Canterbury Hospital on Monday, January 11.

“Our teams coped very well with the increased demand.”

All patients who have had appointments rescheduled should have been notified by phone.