JUNIOR doctors in Barrow are set to strike tomorrow.

The medics will walk out for 24 hours on Wednesday, February 10 from 8am after the latest round of talks between union bosses and the Department of Health broke down.

However, in a change from the original plans for the strike, the doctors, who work below consultant level in hospitals, will continue to provide emergency cover for A&E departments. 

A full walkout had been planned but has been scaled back, the announcement stated.

The strike is likely to affect Furness General Hospital in Barrow where around 30 junior doctors opted for industrial action on January 12 over proposed changes to pay and working hours.

The Royal Lancaster Infirmary, and Westmorland General, in Kendal - two other sites run by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust, are also set to see junior medics leave their posts for the period.

Last week it was revealed around 70 patients were affected by postponed operations or appointments across the hospitals run by UHMBT during the strike.

Some five outpatient clinics were cancelled and one reduced across the three hospitals while a series of planned operations were also postponed. 

A second planned strike which was scheduled to go ahead over 48 hours last week was averted while negotiations were ongoing.

While some progress is said to have been made over the number of evening hours that attract an additional rate of pay - no agreement has been reached on premium rates of pay for doctors working weekends.

Currently, 7pm to 7am Monday to Friday and the whole of Saturday and Sunday attract a premium rate of pay.