Strike action by doctors announced today could lead to operations being cancelled at Lister Hospital.

Non emergency operations could be affected at the hospital after members of the British Medical Association voted to strike on June 21. They are refusing to treat all but the most urgent cases in a dispute with the government over pensions.

Nick Carver, East and North Herts NHS Trust chief executive said the trust will work with doctors to understand what action, if any, individuals are planning.

He added: “The BMA’s announcement has made it clear that all emergency services will be unaffected and we are confident that through careful planning and close working with our doctors, we can keep disruption to planned services to an absolute minimum in line with our core value of always putting patients first.

“For those with appointments to attend our hospitals on June 21, the advice is simple - you should plan to attend unless we contact you to tell you otherwise. Our working aim is that on June 21, it will be business as near normal as possible at each of the Lister, QEII and Hertford County hospitals, as well as the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.”

Routine appointments at GP surgeries could also be disrupted by members striking.