Huddersfield Royal Infirmary expects to be “significantly impacted” by two prolonged strikes by junior doctors either side of Christmas.

The first strike starts at 7am on Wednesday December 20 and runs until 6.59am on Saturday December 23.

The second period of industrial action is planned from 7am on Wednesday January 3 to 6.59am on Tuesday January 9.

The strikes form part of an ongoing national dispute over pay and the Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust expects services at both HRI and the Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax to be affected.

In a statement, a spokesman said: “Our hospitals will be significantly impacted by the upcoming junior doctors’ strike action.

“We have been working with our healthcare partners to ensure we continue to be able to deliver safe care during the period of industrial action.

“We will ensure that resources are prioritised to protect emergency treatment, cancer care, critical care, maternity and neonatal care, trauma, and patients who have waited the longest for elective surgery.

“During this period of industrial action, and indeed over winter, we ask patients to choose NHS services wisely and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most.

“This includes using NHS 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.

“Please be assured that we will only cancel appointments and procedures where it is necessary and will reschedule immediately, where possible. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.

“Please continue to attend your GP appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise. If you are expecting a baby, please continue to attend maternity services as normal.”

Dr Huw Masson, consultant in emergency medicine and clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said: “The week before Christmas is always a very busy time for our hospitals, and with strike action falling in the same week, we will be under even more pressure this year.

“Patient safety is our absolute priority and I urge people to please choose NHS services wisely so we can prioritise those with genuine, life-threatening emergencies. NHS 111 online should be your first port of call if you are unsure where to go.”

For tips and advice on staying well, and information on health and care services across Kirklees and Calderdale go to www.togetherwe-can.com