Junior doctors are preparing to stage a full walkout for two days this week in protest at the imposition of new contracts by health secretary Jeremy Hunt. 

The planned walkout will take place between 8am and 5pm on April 26 and 27, leaving consultants on wards across hospitals.

April 7: "Nobody wants to be here today, but we are because of the contracts": Junior doctors fear escalating industrial action may be only way to make Government take notice

February 10: "The main obstacle is the health secretary himself": Junior doctors blame Jeremy Hunt for break down in negotiations

In the last few days, junior doctors have been pleading with Mr Hunt, who is also the MP for South West Surrey to reopen contract negotiations.

Dr Johann Malawana, chairman of the BMA junior doctors' committee, wrote to Mr Hunt to tell him the strike would be called off if the imposition of the contracts was reversed.

It is the first time there has been a full walkout.

With the strike looming, consultants have sought to allay fears that patients will not be properly treated while junior doctors are on the picket line. 

April 22: Chief executive of St George's Hospital steps down ten weeks after disagreeing with Jeremy Hunt on junior doctor contracts

February 10: On the picket line: Junior doctors strike over contract disputes

Dr Laura De Rooy, consultant neonatologist and chairman of the medical staff committee at St George's Hospital said: "The medical staff of St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like to reassure those who rely on our emergency services that this will not be the case.

"Patients who are already admitted to hospital for non-elective surgery, those receiving care in over 100 adult, children's and neonatal intensive care beds, and those that are referred to our major trauma, stroke and cardiology services, to name a few, will continue to receive exceptional care delivered by highly trained professionals.

"This will include consultant medical staff, as well as other medical staff who are not part of the current dispute alongside trained nurses and non-medical staff. We do not believe any acutely unwell patient with a serious illness will come to any harm, nor receive poorer care during these nine hour periods."

Dr De Rooy advised patients to use their GP, community healthcare and NHS 111 before going to accident and emergency departments. 

How is your hospital planning to cope? 

St George's, Tooting: Anyone with an appointment will receive a letter advising them of a new date.

Anyone who does not receive a new letter should assume their appointment will go ahead as planned. 

A hospital spokesman said: "We will be providing the full range of emergency, intensive and maternity care in our hospitals on these days. This care will be provided by our consultants from all our specialities, supported by a range of medical, nursing and allied health professionals."

Kingston Hospital: A hospital spokesman said: "Unfortunately, we have had to cancel some non-urgent outpatient appointments and planned operations as the junior doctors will only be providing emergency cover during the action. 

"Those patients affected have already been contacted and we will do all we can to rearrange appointments as soon as possible and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 

"If you have any queries about your appointment please contact 0208 934 3305."

Epsom and St Helier Hospital: A hospital spokesman said: "Our hospitals and staff are likely to be very busy during this period, and as always, we are asking people to only come to our Accident and Emergency departments in an emergency.

"We are working hard to keep any disruption to services to an absolute minimum. If there are changes to an appointment that you have arranged at our hospitals on any day of action, we will contact you. If you do not hear from us, please assume your appointment remains unchanged."

Croydon University Hospital: A spokesman said: "As in the last industrial action, the Trust will need to postpone routine operation and non-urgent appointments. Any affected patients will be contacted directly by the Trust and offered an alternative as soon as possible."