Paramedics across north-west walk out in latest strikes
They are joining 10,000 ambulance workers across the country
Paramedics across the northwest are joining thousands of others across the country in a walkout over pay and conditions.
10,000 members of the GMB union are striking in the first of two strike days, the next being Wednesday 28th December. They are also being joined by paramedics from the Unite and Unison unions.
It's forced North West Ambulance Service to put out a warning to patients that waits for ambulances are likely to increase and the most serious calls will be prioritised, with other patients having to make their own way to hospitals.
"Those with less serious conditions are likely to be asked to seek alternatives."
In a statement last week, North West Ambulance Service said:
"Following the announcement of industrial action, we have worked closely with our unions and staff to ensure that we are able to continue to deliver a response to the most serious emergencies for our patients and to agree an approach for the days when industrial actions is taking place.
"This has focussed on consideration to support colleagues’ right to take action in collaboration with potential impacts on patient care.
"The priority throughout has been balancing patient safety with the right to strike.
"On the day of action, despite utilising some resources from external sources, the trust will be operating with reduced capacity. As much as we can, we will prioritise those with life-threatening conditions but it is important to acknowledge that ambulance waits are to be expected. Those with less serious conditions are likely to be asked to seek alternatives.
"The assistance of the public is vital so for illness or injury which is not life-threatening, people should seek help and advice from their own GP, a pharmacist, or via NHS 111 Online at 111.nhs.uk or find other means of transport to an emergency care centre."
Striking workers are calling for an increase in pay as well as more resources for the NHS amid concerns even without the strikes the Ambulance service is struggling to keep up with demand.
Patients could be asked to take taxis to hospitals
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said:
“After twelve years of Conservative cuts to the service and their pay packets, NHS staff have had enough.
“The last thing they want to do is take strike action, but the government has left them with no choice.
“Steve Barclay needs to listen and engage with us about pay. If he can’t talk to us about this most basic workforce issue, what on earth is he Health Secretary for?
“The Government could stop this strike in a heartbeat – but they need to wake up and start negotiating on pay.”
It's thought taxi drivers, military personnel and police officers could be called into cover calls relating to the less serious remaining two categories under contingency plans.
Earlier this week union bosses met with the Health Secretary in a bid to avoid the strikes but failed to reach a deal.
GMB, which said 10,000 of its ambulance members backed walkouts across nine trusts, welcomed the chance to meet with Mr Barclay but said "he needs to talk pay now".
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said she would meet the Health Secretary but urged the Government to "stop using public safety fears as a smokescreen for its own inaction".
Health Secretary Mr Barclay said: "They've said that they will provide life-threatening cover, that they will provide emergency cover.
"It's essential that they do so to protect patients, because if there are delays in ambulances, obviously that impacts very seriously on patient safety."