The North West Ambulance Service has issued another plea to patients, urging them to seek online help instead of calling 999 in the event of needing 'urgent medical help'.
The trust went on to remind the public that dialling 999 'does not guarantee that you'll receive an ambulance, or that you'll be seen at hospital any faster' as they said patients were likely to get information faster online than if they called.
It comes as NHS data revealed more than 800 outpatient appointments at hospitals were rescheduled in the north west as a result of last Wednesday's strike action by ambulance service workers.
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The tweet, posted by the North West Ambulance Service on Tuesday (December 27), read: "Please remember ringing 999 does not guarantee that you'll receive an ambulance, or that you'll be seen at hospital any faster.
"If you need urgent medical help, use NHS 111 online - you will get the answers you need faster than if you were to call."
The GMB union, one of three unions to take action in Greater Manchester last week, had initially planned a post-Christmas strike by its ambulance worker members on December 28 - however this has been suspended following the 'amazing public support' for paramedics and ambulance staff that workers faced during the walkouts.
However further industrial action by GMB members has been scheduled for January 11, with Unison also announcing members would stage two fresh strikes in the dispute over pay and staffing - on January 11 and 23. Five ambulance services will be affected, including London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and South West.
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