Hospital chiefs have warned patient care could be “disrupted” ahead of a possible staff walkout over pensions cuts.

Public sector union Unison was due to reveal at 3pm today whether its members have voted for industrial action, starting with a 24-hour strike on November 30.

Bosses at Airedale Hospital say they are drafting contingency plans to protect patients’ safety amid the threat of the UK’s biggest strike over public sector pensions.

Employees working at the NHS hospital in Steeton, near Keighley, are set to walk out later this month if a ballot for industrial action is successful, as could staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Health bosses say they are working to protect patients but a spokesman warned that care “could well be disrupted” if the proposed walkout goes ahead.

In a report to the trust’s board, chief executive Bridget Fletcher said: “We are planning to mitigate against the potential impact of this action on the foundation trust and for our patients.

“We will be discussing with our unions arrangements to continue to provide patient care and the various practical issues that will need to be addressed during industrial action to ensure the safety of patients is not compromised.

“Patients and service users may well find their care disrupted. Unions have said that in any industrial action they will ensure that nothing compromises the safety and urgent care of patients.”

Union bosses have vowed to press ahead with the proposed strike despite an improved offer on public sector pensions by the Government yesterday. The GMB and Unite unions, which also have members at the hospital, are expected to reveal their ballot results next week.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander yesterday set out a revised offer on pensions. If accepted, it would mean a nurse, with a final salary of £34,200, would get an annual pension of £22,800 rather than the £17,300 they would have been entitled to under the old scheme, but would have to pay in more and work for longer.

Union leaders for the TUC welcomed the proposed changes, but said they were not enough to call off the proposed walkout.

e-mail: marc.meneaud@telegraphandargus.co.uk