The area's two major hospitals have warned that the junior doctors strike, which started this morning and runs through to Saturday, will hit services.

A number of planned appointments at West Middlesex Hospital and Kingston Hospital have been cancelled, while emergency services will be busy.

The strikes come at the same time as Heat-Health Alerts have been issued and there are high levels of pollution with the area's hospitals reporting this has put strain on services.

Junior doctors will take part in strike action, organised by the British Medical Association, from 7am today - Wednesday – through to 7am on Saturday.

West Mid warned: "Many NHS doctors are on strike from today until Saturday. If there's a change to your planned appointment, we'll contact you.

"Services will be busy, so if you aren't sure where to get help please use NHS 111. A&E is open for emergency care."

Junior doctors will take part in strike action, organised by the British Medical Association, from 7am today - Wednesday – through to 7am on Saturday.

Kingston Hospital said: "The industrial action is expected to significantly impact services.

"Anyone whose appointment needs to be cancelled due to strike action will be contacted and appointments will be rescheduled as soon as possible. People should continue to attend appointments as planned, unless they are told otherwise.

"It is important that people continue to come forward for urgent care during the strike action, especially in an emergency and in life-threatening cases."

Dr William Oldfield, Chief Medical Officer for Kingston Hospital, said: "We would like to apologise to our patients for the disruption.

"Our staff are working hard to minimise disruption to care and treatment during the days of industrial action.

"We are asking people to help us manage demand by considering different services for medical help or advice, such as their GP or local pharmacist.

"Waiting times in the Emergency Department will be longer than usual during the days of strike action and we will be prioritising patients based on the urgency of their clinical need. If we feel you could be seen elsewhere, we may redirect you. Our staff may also be more stretched than usual and so we are asking everyone to remain kind and compassionate."

If people need medical help or advice or are unsure about whether they should go to hospital, 111.nhs.uk should be the first port of call. Call NHS 111 for advice on where to go and what to do next.

During the strike action, people may be seen more quickly at Teddington Urgent Treatment Centre, which is open from 8am until 8pm (7 days a week).

Local pharmacies may also be able to help and can provide advice on minor health concerns from skin rashes to earaches and flu. Many pharmacies stay open late, and no appointment is needed.