Routine and emergency care services are expected to be “significantly affected” by NHS strikes this week.

They will be happening until Saturday, September 23, with both consultants and junior doctors taking joint industrial action.  

Watford General Hospital will be affected, with “large numbers of doctors expected to be absent”, health bosses have warned.

Consultants will be striking for 48 hours from 7am today (September 19) until 7am on Thursday.

Junior doctors will be striking for 72 hours from 7am on Wednesday until 7am on Saturday.

Dr Jane Halpin, Chief Executive of Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “This strike action with both consultant doctors and junior doctors presents many challenges to patients, our hospitals, and some of our GP practices too.

“Hospitals will not be able to run as normal and services will be working under immense pressure."

This will be the first time both medical professional groups will be striking on the same day.

The chief executive added: “In order to prioritise life-saving emergency treatment for people who need it, hospitals will postpone some non-urgent operations, treatments and routine appointments.”

Other hospitals affected by this are Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and Lister Hospital in Stevenage.