The UK faces the largest healthcare worker strike in history as nurses and ambulance workers walk out today.
Tens of thousands of employees from the two unions will return to picket lines following a pay dispute, creating a “postcode lottery” of care across the country.
Brits have also been advised to call 999 only in “life-threatening” situations.
It comes just five days after industrial action shut down the country, disrupting trains, schools, and the civil service.
The NHS will experience a “hugely disrupted day,” according to leaders.
“I think it’s going to be a hugely disrupted day across the NHS, it’s going to be incredibly challenging,” said Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers.
“With both nurses and ambulance staff out on strike today, and nurses again tomorrow and we’ve got physiotherapist later in the week and some ambulance staff again on Friday, We’re planning for an incredibly disrupted week.”
On the other hand, Maria Caulfield, minister for mental health and women’s health strategy, said she sympathised with striking nurses but argued that “inflation-busting pay rises” could not be afforded.
“It is difficult for us now if we are to give a pay (rise) to nurses, we would have to look at teachers, ambulance drivers.
“We just can’t afford inflation-busting pay rises that the unions are currently demanding.”