Thousands of ambulance service staff including paramedics and call-handlers in the north west - hundreds in total across Greater Manchester - are due to walk out on strike on Wednesday in the biggest collective industrial action for 30 years.
But as hospital bosses issue urgent warnings to the public over 'unprecedented conditions' at A&E departments following images of stacked up ambulances outside, combined with the usual pressures of winter sickness bugs, Strep A alarm and the nursing strike, the action will undoubtedly leave households worried about what to do in the event of an emergency - and what urgent care they will receive should the worst happen.
As talks between unions and the Government appeared to end without agreement tonight, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) - one of 10 of 11 ambulance trusts in England and Wales set to be impacted - has said it will 'use military support where appropriate', although no further details have been provided, after urging patients with less serious conditions to take taxis to hospital or get lifts in from friends and family.
