Dorset County Hospital (DCH) has called on 'additional support from family and friends' during planned strike action by nurses this week.

Picket lines will be at the entrance to the Williams Avenue hospital on Wednesday and Thursday from 7am to 7pm as a dispute with the Government over pay and conditions rages on.

The strike has been organised by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and follows industrial action last month in which ambulance workers staged a 24-hour walkout in Weymouth.

It comes as four minor injury units in Dorset are set to close on the scheduled strike days. 

DCH said that it will be making sure it has 'adequate staffing levels to keep patients safe' during the two days.

It has even called on help from friends and family to help those working in the hospital, who will be focusing on clinical care.

"Relatives and friends of patients in hospital will be able to visit general inpatient wards at any time between 10am and 8pm during Wednesday and Thursday, rather than being restricted to the usual ward visiting hours," DCH said. 

"While all our wards will be safely staffed during the industrial action, additional support from families and friends would be welcomed during this time so that our nursing staff can focus on clinical care - for example, to assist with mealtimes."

It added that it will be 'continuing to run as many of our services as possible' during the strikes, and urged people to attend hospital appointments as planned unless they hear from the hospital directly.

"Any patients affected will be contacted by us. Please do check your voicemail before attending your appointment as we may leave a message if we are unable to reach you," said DCH.

The Dorchester hospital also said it will be seeking help in getting people home from hospital to continue their recovery.