A BRADFORD doctor has urged people with a life-threatening emergency to still call 999 if a proposed ambulance strike still takes place next week.

But Dr Amir Khan has urged the Government to negotiate with union chiefs in a bid to avert the strike action. He has warned people who dial 999 may face a longer wait if the strike takes place.

Ambulance crews in England are due to walk out for two days on December 21 and 28 in support of their pay claim.

 

Speaking on Good Morning Britain today (Friday, December 16) Dr Amir said: “The ambulance strike is going to have a huge impact on patients and the NHS. We need to look at what is being done to mitigate that.

“We need the Government to talk to the unions and discuss pay and how to improve pay, work conditions and staffing levels.

“It’s important to say that if you do have a life-threatening emergency, still dial 999.

"They are prioritising category one and two illnesses which is things like heart attacks and strokes and life-threatening emergencies.

“There may be a longer wait because of the strike.

“The aim between now and Wednesday is to avert the strike through negotiations and that falls on the Government to act.”