Operations and appointments could still be cancelled even if strikes are called ... trends now

Operations and appointments could still be postponed even if Christmas strikes are called off, an NHS boss warned today.

Miriam Deakin, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers — which represents hospital trusts across England, claimed disruption was inevitable even if industrial action was averted at the last minute.

Unions today announced the biggest ambulance strike in 30 years, with tens of thousands of members set to walk-out just before Christmas in a move experts fear could risk lives.

It has been scheduled for December 21, the day after 100,000 nurses are set to walk out of hospitals, including casualty and cancer wards.

Long-awaited operations and appointments could still be postponed even if Christmas strikes are called off, NHS Deputy Chief Executive Miriam Deakin has said

Miriam Deakin (pictured), Director of Policy and Strategy and Deputy Chief Executive at NHS Providers, said there would still likely be disruption if industrial action was to be cancelled at late notice

How will NHS strikes affect YOU this Christmas, which hospital trusts are affected and what should you do in an emergency? Vital Q&A

Which ambulance services will be affected by the strike?

More than 10,000 ambulance workers will strike in England and Wales on December 21 and 28.

The ambulance strike will hit:

South West Ambulance Service South East Coast Ambulance Service North West Ambulance Service South Central Ambulance Service North East Ambulance Service East Midlands Ambulance Service West Midlands Ambulance Service Welsh Ambulance Service Yorkshire Ambulance Service

What should I do in an emergency?

Unless your emergency is life-threatening, you should avoid calling 999 for an ambulance on the day of the strikes.

You can call 111 instead, where staff can advise you on what to do about your emergency.

If the emergency is serious enough, the 111 operator will direct you to the ambulance service.

However, it is likely 111 will do so less frequently on the strike days than usual.

READ MAILONLINE'S FULL Q&A ON THE AMBULANCE STRIKES HERE.

Ms Deakin today told the Health and Social Care Committee that admin and patients' own

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