HOSPITAL appointments could be postponed this weekend and into next week as nurses prepare to go out on strike.

Nursing members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will walkout for 48 hours between 8pm on Sunday, April 30, and 8pm on Tuesday, May 2.

And a spokesperson for the Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said appointments may be scrapped to ensure other departments can continue to operate.

“Our nurses are vital for patient care and the running of our hospitals,” they said. “During their industrial action, some medically-led activity will be postponed to ensure that we can provide safe emergency and inpatient care.

“You will hear directly from our Trust if we have to postpone your appointment – if you don’t hear from us please attend as planned.

“We appreciate how hard this can be for people who are waiting, and we will rearrange as soon as we are able.”

Despite the walkout, the Trust said no-one should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes and people with serious, life-threatening conditions will continue to be seen at our Emergency Department (ED).