AMBULANCE workers in Wales and parts of England are once again striking today in a row over pay.
Brits have been warned to only call 999 in 'life-threatening' circumstances.
Services will be stretched with 11,000 workers having taken to the picket line.
The strike will involve more than 11,000 members of the GMB union in England and Wales, along with some members of the Unite union.
It comes as junior doctors set to go on strike next month.
Paramedics, emergency care assistants, ambulance technicians, other 999 crew members and control room staff are among those who will be on picket lines at various times during the day.
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Members from Unite will strike for three consecutive days from today (Monday) with those from the GMB union walking out for 24 hours from the same time.
Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, said: “Ambulance workers across England and Wales will strike today – entirely because this Government is tin-eared.
“It’s been over a month since the Government engaged in any meaningful dialogue.
"They are missing in action and refuse to talk pay," she said
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“There’s a recruitment crisis in the NHS. Solving the issue of pay is vital if we’re going to stem the tide of dedicated healthcare workers leaving the profession," she added.
Health secretary Steve Barclay said: “Strikes are in nobody’s best interests and only cause further disruption for patients, despite contingency measures in place.
“It is time unions engaged constructively with the pay review body process for 2023/24 and cancelled strikes so we can move forward and continue tackling the Covid backlog.
“I’ve been clear throughout that I remain keen to keep talking to unions about what is fair and affordable for the coming financial year, as well as wider concerns around conditions and workload so we can make the NHS a better place to work.”
The following trusts are set to be affected:
- 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
- Welsh Ambulance Service
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service
Need an ambulance?
In the event of an emergency you should call 999 or visit your nearest A&E department, however strike action might mean you are delayed or are unable to get the usual level of care you might need.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay today urged Brits to 'use their common sense' when it comes to calling out emergency services.
- Have you been affected by the ambulance strikes? Get in touch – [email protected]
Guidance from the NHS states patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, and there is risk to life.
Ambulances will still be dispatched where clinically appropriate.
Category 1 calls are for the most life-threatening emergencies, such as cardiac arrest.
Category 2 incidents, cover conditions such as strokes or chest pain.
Category 3 calls include people who have severe abdominal pain, have suffered a fall, or patients who can be treated in their own homes.
This group is unlikely to be sent an ambulance during strike action, with patient transport services prioritising those with cancer and palliative care appointments.
Sir Stephen Powis, the national medical director for NHS England, said: "As we have seen with previous industrial action, disruption is inevitable.
"However, it is vital that people do not put off seeking care and dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency and come forward for treatment using 111 online for non-life threatening care, as well as local pharmacies or general practice.
"Anyone with an appointment should continue to attend as planned unless they have been contacted to rearrange," he explained.
The NHS said that it will be using the military to transfer patients with less urgent conditions to and from hospital.
St John Ambulance and Community First responders will also be used so that patients don't miss out on care.
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Guidance also states that the NHS will use taxis to transport less critically ill people to and from hospital where clinically appropriate.
Strong clinical triage will also be in place today across call centres, the NHS said.
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