HAMPSHIRE doctors are among thousands in the country who have voted to take industrial action for the first time in almost 40 years.

A day of action will be held next month in protest at the Government’s controversial pension reforms.

The British Medical Association said non-urgent cases will be postponed on June 21 and that further action could not be ruled out.

Health bosses across the county have reassured patients that, should industrial action take place, they would have contingency plans in place to treat those who needed it.

Dr Nigel Watson, senior partner at the Arnewood practice in New Milton and a BMA member, told the Daily Echo: “It is very sad that it has got to this stage but the new proposals have made people very angry.”

Stuart Ward, medical director of the Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth PCT Cluster, said: “Should a strike be called, our expectation would be for GPs to continue to provide urgent cover for patients between 8am and 6.30pm. Outside of these hours NHS Direct is available.”