Lagan Valley Hospital to close during junior doctor strike this week

The Lagan Valley Hospital will close due to the Junior Doctors' strike, the South Eastern Trust has said.

Junior doctors across Northern Ireland will start a 48-hour strike from Wednesday, May 22 to Friday at 7am to Friday, May 24, as they call for better pay.

The Department of Health has warned the industrial action will cause widespread disruption across the health service with hundreds of appointments and surgeries being postponed.

Read more: Junior doctors in Northern Ireland to stage 48-hour walk outs after pay talks break down

READ MORE: NI doctor warns GP system will 'collapse' after handing back contract

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has said that due to the strike action it will have to close Lagan Valley Hospital's Urgent Care Centre in Lisburn on Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23. It will reopen again from 8am on Friday, May 24.

A spokesperson said: "Regrettably, due to the Junior Doctors’ strike, the Urgent Care Centre at the Lagan Valley Hospital will close tomorrow Wednesday 22 ^nd May and Thursday 23 ^rd May. This is unavoidable in order to maintain patient safety, which is always the Trust’s priority.

"If you need urgent or emergency care, please go to the Ulster Hospital’s Emergency Department. The Urgent Care Centre will re-open as normal, on Friday 24 ^th May at 8am.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this temporary closure will cause. In an emergency always phone 999."

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