'Emergency calls only' plea ahead of Monday's ambulance strike
Ambulance chiefs have asked patients to only use the 999 system for life-threatening emergencies during the strike planned for Monday.
West Midlands Ambulance Service says industrial action will mean fewer ambulances on the roads and fewer staff taking 999 calls.
A spokesman said: "We will still respond to medical or mental health emergencies but if it is not life-threatening, please use 11.nhs.uk."
The strike is set to include paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff across the region walking out from 12 midnight for 24 hours.