THE NHS Trust that manages Crediton Hospital has made contingency plans to minimise the impact on patients should a planned national strike by doctors take place next week.

The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust also manages community health and social care services across Mid, North and East Devon, as well as 16 other community hospitals and the acute North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple.

British Medical Association members have voted in favour of industrial action on Thursday, June 21.

Doctors will however, continue to see patients who need emergency and urgent care.

Some non-urgent appointments could be postponed during the 24 hours of action, in which case patients will be notified in advance.

If a patient is not notified, they are asked to attend their appointment as planned.

Kate Lyons, the Trust's director of operations, explained: "We have robust contingency plans in place and have been working with local BMA representatives to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum for our patients.

"Emergency care will not be affected and the industrial action will have no impact on North Devon District Hospital's ability to function as a trauma unit for the area."

Any updates on the planned strike action will appear on the Trust's website at http://www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk">www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk .