London Ambulance workers are taking strike action today, (December 21) as people are warned to expect disruption. 

The strikes come amid disputes of pay and working conditions as services across England and Wales take action. 

Ambulance workers, paramedics, technicians, call handlers and other NHS staff will walk out in action will affect non-life-threatening calls. 

Unison members at London Ambulance Service (LAS) are part of the thousands walking out after failed talks between the unions and the Government. 

Action will start at midday and will last for 12 hours until midnight, however, LAS has warned that action is likely to affect services all day Wednesday. 

The service shared that unless critical you "are unlikely to get an ambulance” and advises that if you can, make your own way to the hospital. 

They said: "Patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency. This includes unconsciousness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe loss of blood & choking."

The strikes mark the first of two dates set by the ambulance services, with the second date taking place on December 28. 

Much of England's and Wales's ambulance services are taking action in a dispute over the Government’s 4% pay award.

It comes as a real-terms pay cut with the UK’s current inflation standing at 11%.

Can you get an ambulance during strikes?

It's expected that category 1 calls, the most life-threatening such as cardiac arrest, will be responded to.

Some ambulance trusts have agreed to exemptions with unions for specific incidents within so-called category 2 which cover serious conditions, such as stroke or chest pain.

However, patients in category three, typically including falls, and category four are unlikely to be sent an ambulance during the strikes.

Military personnel are being drafted in to provide support on ambulance calls during the strike but will not drive ambulances on blue lights for the most serious calls.

Although ambulances are striking, the Department of Health and Social Care has said advice remains for people to call 999 in an emergency.