Senior North East medics are urging the public to again ensure they only call 999 in life-threatening scenarios given the added pressure NHS services are likely to face during Wednesday's ambulance service strikes.
Staff from two unions - UNISON and GMB - are walking out for the second time this winter and this will affect the North East Ambulance Service, though paramedics will continue to attend the most serious calls. However, to help protect the service, top NHS figure Dr Neil O'Brien said delays were likely.
Dr O'Brien, executive medical director of the NHS's North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: "With greater disruption to services expected as more teams will be unavailable due to the industrial action, we really need the public's support to only call for an ambulance in a life threatening emergency.
