Pregnant women in labour and people with broken bones are being asked to make their own way to hospital during a strike by ambulance workers this week.

Paramedics who are members of the Unite and Unison unions are due to stage 24-hour industrial action on Thursday in a long-running dispute over the government’s refusal to grant a one per cent pay rise to all NHS staff.

The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has asked people not to call 999 if they do not require critical care.

People with long-term conditions, or who are in the latter stages of pregnancy are being told to make arrangements with friends or families if hospital treatment is required.

People requiring regular medication or who are feeling unwell on Wednesday are being asked to collect their prescriptions or seek medical advice before Thursday.

LAS said there will be lengthy delays and admitted some people will not get an ambulance response if they are not in an immediately life-threatening condition.

Chief Executive Dr Fionna Moore said: “We will only be able to send an ambulance response to the most seriously ill and injured patients.

“Those looking after vulnerable groups – such as older people, children and people with long-term conditions – should be prepared to make alternative arrangements to get medical help or transport those in their care to hospital.”

 “We will be unable to send an ambulance response to some patients with broken bones, some older people who may have fallen and cannot get up and some people in road traffic collisions where their life is not immediately at risk.

“We’d encourage Londoners to plan ahead, be sensible about their activities and be prepared should they need medical help on Thursday.”

Instead of calling 999, people are advised to visit their pharmacist, Urgent Care Centre or GP, calling NHS 111 or making their own way to an emergency department if they need urgent treatment.

The Department of Health said the government cannot afford the one per cent pay rise and pointed out that only 13 per cent of the union members voted to strike. 

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt chaired a Cobra meeting on contingency plans last week and soldiers could be drafted in to help maintain services.

In a new series on the NHS, the Guardian will feature experiences of patients, their families and staff of treatment provided across east London and west Essex. As A&Es continue to struggle with demand and politicians argue over the future of healthcare, we will publish first-hand accounts, features and news stories on the latest developments. We want to hear from you if you have something to say about your local hospital, GP surgery, or clinic. Click here for contact details of reporters covering your area. Alternatively, you can submit a story here.