Ahead of previous strikes in January and December, patients were told that all Category 1 calls – classed as the most life-threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest – would be responded to by an ambulance. However, less urgent calls which are not immediately judged to be life-threatening (Category 2), might have to wait longer than usual for an ambulance but they would still respond to strokes and heart attacks. Urgent problems that fit into Category 3 – such as a woman in late-stage labour – would not be prioritised, the public was told.