ELDERLY patients have to wait for new appointments after rail strikes affect hospital staff getting to work.

Train services across Berkshire are being hit by more rail strikes today with an "extremely limited" timetable.

Rail passengers are suffering more travel disruption because of new train strikes in long-running disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.

Sylvia Lewandowska, 46, an NHS orbital prosthetist at Royal Berkshire Hospital, said her journey to commute from London Paddington was delayed by an hour, forcing her to reschedule four appointments.

She said: “I have to wait an hour for my train so all my patients will have to wait.

“Whatever the reason is for strikes, they shouldn’t affect working people who can’t change their situation.

“It’s affecting my patients because they are from different parts of the UK and many are elderly.

READ MORE: 'Extremely limited' rail services in Berkshire today

“I’ll try to work late if patients are happy to wait but others might have other things to attend.

“I can’t do anything about it.”

This weeks three-day strike will affect services today, Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3.

The railway unions say they have not been given a pay offer it can recommend to their members.

Aslef says train drivers have not had a pay rise for four years.

The strikes are affecting 15 train companies.

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: “The upcoming rail strikes called by the Aslef and RMT leadership will not only affect our passengers’ daily commute, but will also impact those travelling to and from the FA Cup final and other events across the country, causing disappointment and frustration for tens of thousands of people.

“It will also inconvenience families who have been looking forward and have planned their half-term holidays. It will also further burden our people who have already lost thousands of pounds at a time of financial strain.

“We understand the impact of these strikes on individuals and businesses alike, and we can only apologise for this unnecessary and damaging disruption."

Passengers are being advised to plan ahead and check the times of first and last trains.