NHS patients have been encouraged to continue seeking care as normal, despite GPs beginning collective action which is expected to impact services at practices in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West.

The action, which began on August 1, is likely to impact some services, but Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (ICB) said it is acting to limit this.

GP practices will remain open and patients should continue to contact their practice as normal.

Patients should also attend scheduled appointments at their practice unless told otherwise.

Dr Rachael de Caux, deputy chief executive and chief medical officer at Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West ICB, said: "We are working hard with system health and care partners to reduce the consequences any action has on patient care.

"This will be an evolving picture across our system and we will monitor carefully as collective action unfolds to understand the areas of greatest pressure.

"However, any action is likely to cause disruption across the whole NHS locally.

"It’s likely this action will be ongoing with no finish date until an agreement is reached between the government and the British Medical Association."

She added: "During this action patients should contact their practice as normal for support or advice or to attend an appointment unless they have been told otherwise.

"It is the responsibility of GP practices to inform patients of any changes to their services."