LAST week's strike by junior doctors affected around 385 procedures and appointments at Steeton's Airedale General Hospital.

Stacey Hunter, director of operations at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said all essential services continued as normal.

But she added: "We are sorry for the inconvenience for those patients whose appointments or procedures have been affected and will do our best to reschedule these as soon as possible.”

Dr Andy McElligott, medical director of Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs a mental health centre in the grounds of Airedale Hospital, said only a small number of outpatient clinics had to be rescheduled.

Dr Rob Holt, a junior doctor working at Airedale, said: "No junior doctor wanted to see patients inconvenienced by delays to operations and appointments but we felt we didn't have any other choice.

"The dispute isn't just over pay, there are other issues including gender inequality and because of our action that matter is now going to the European Council for Human Rights so we do think we're seeing benefits and we are slowly moving forward although there's still quite a way to go. The passion is still there."