The Welsh Ambulance Service is looking for help from the military amidst increased pressure from the coronavirus pandemic, in anticipation of a "difficult winter period".
The Welsh Government confirmed the service is in "close contact" with the military, which could also help with fire and rescue services and other immediate recruitment.
It comes as demand for ambulance services has skyrocketed since the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in August, to the highest levels seen since April.
Read more: How to get your NHS Covid pass to show you've been vaccinated in Wales
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The ambulance service is facing increased pressure caused by the pandemic and as we enter what will be a difficult winter period.
“The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust is in close contact with military colleagues and is developing an option for military support alongside other options to increase capacity, such as working with the fire and rescue services and additional immediate recruitment.
“We would ask people to consider carefully how to get the care they need. The NHS 111 Wales website is the quickest way to access healthcare advice if you are unwell, and it includes a symptom checker, information about local healthcare services such as pharmacies, and self-care advice.”
You can read more about the current pressures on the Welsh NHS as Covid hospital admissions continue to rise here.
Lee Brooks, director of operations for the Welsh Ambulance Service, told WalesOnline last week : "In recent times we have seen approaching 13,000 emergency calls connect to us per week. As an illustration this is an increase of approximately 3,000 per week or over 400 a day when compared to previous years.
"Our most common complaint is breathing difficulties and as the seasons change this can aggravate conditions such as asthma.
"We are continuing to monitor trends in our demand and it is now fair to say there are early signs that Covid impacts could be contributing to our demand."
The pressure on the service was evident earlier this month when patients were left waiting waiting in ambulances for up to 13 hours outside Morriston Hospital in Swansea.
At the time the Welsh Ambulance Service said between August 16 and 29, three of the longest waits for ambulance handover at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, amounted to about 13 hours each, and that the maximum number of ambulances waiting outside the hospital at any one time was 12.
Days later, similar scenes were witnessed outside the Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran as at least 15 ambulances queued outside the building. Some patients said they had been waiting up to 13 hours to be seen.
The Welsh Ambulance Service was contacted for comment.
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