NEWTON Abbot’s urgent treatment centre will be open but with reduced hours as the impact of the nurses’ strike is felt across Teignbridge.

A spokesperson for NHS Devon said: ‘The safety of our patients and staff remains our top priority, and we are committed to keeping disruption to services to a minimum on these dates, but the following services will be affected:

‘The urgent treatment centre at Newton Abbot will be open, but at the reduced hours of 9am to 5pm both days. It will be open from 8am to 8pm on Wednesday 8 February.’

‘The minor injury unit at Totnes will be closed on February 6 and 7. It will reopen on Wednesday, February 8.’

They offer the following advice to patients:

‘Appointments: Please continue to attend your appointment unless you hear from us. We will contact you if we need to rearrange your appointment.

‘Our emergency department (ED): Please continue to call 999 or visit our ED if you have a life-threatening emergency.

‘Please be aware that our hospitals, like the wider NHS and local health and care system, are really busy:

• If you have a minor illness or minor injury, local GP surgeries and pharmacies are open.

• If you have an urgent medical problem that isn’t an emergency and aren’t sure what to do, contact 111 first by phone or online – they will provide immediate medical advice and direct you to the best care for your needs.

NHS Devon Chief Medical Officer Nigel Acheson said: 'The NHS in Devon has worked hard to maintain as much routine care as possible during this week’s industrial action so it is important that anyone with an appointment should continue to attend as planned unless they have been contacted and asked to rearrange.

'It is vital that people do not put off seeking care and come forward for treatment – using 111 online for non-life threatening care, as well as local pharmacies their GP practice, or dialling 999 in a life-threatening emergency.'