What do today’s NHS strikes mean for patients – and what should you do?

All nurses in intensive and emergency care are expected to work, and life-preserving care will be provided. So services such as intensive care, chemotherapy and dialysis will continue to be staffed, as part of emergency cover.

If anyone is seriously ill or injured, you should call 999, or 111 for non-urgent care, as normal.

The biggest effects are expected to be in outpatient clinics, and pre-booked treatment such as hernia operations and hip replacements.

In an emergency, you should still call 999 for an ambulance..

Paramedics will respond to the most life-threatening situations such as a heart attack.

But conditions judged to be serious but not immediately life-threatening might get a delayed response.

Those who fall, or suffer other non-life-threatening injuries, are unlikely to get an ambulance. Where possible, it is advised that members of the public arrange alternative transport if they need to visit a health care facility.