Military personnel and police vans are being drafted in to help ambulance services affected by a public service workers strike on Monday.
About 130 military drivers will replace striking London Ambulance Service and North West Ambulance Service drivers, the Ministry of Defence said.
In London, 74 police vehicles will also be used for low-priority calls, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.
Unison, whose members are striking over pay, called the move a "quick fix".
It said it had arranged emergency plans for Monday with all the other ambulance trusts in England.
Women in labour
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“Start Quote
The fact the government did not even try to talk to trade unions to arrange emergency cover in the capital is outrageous”
Christina McAnea, Unison
NHS workers in England will strike for four hours from 07:00 BST on Monday, with a number of public sector unions planning further industrial action over pay during the rest of the month.
One hundred military drivers will be drafted into London while 30 will assist ambulance services in the North West.
London Ambulance Service (LAS) has said patients in a life-threatening situation will still receive an ambulance response, but people with injuries such as minor breaks, or women in routine labour may not.
It has said there will be an impact on services for the whole day.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29582397
