Ambulance Workers Strike For Second Time

Workers at East Midlands Ambulance Service are striking for a second time today.

Paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff who are members of the GMB Union walked out for 24 hours at midnight, in an on-going dispute over pay.

Around half of EMAS’s 4000-strong workforce was expected to join the action, with similar strikes taking place in other areas of the country.

EMAS say fewer ambulances will be available, meaning delayed response times, although an agreement with the union means life-threatening 999 calls will still be responded to.

Ben Holdaway, Director of Operations at EMAS, said: “Our operational teams have developed contingency plans to aim to maximise the number of ambulance staff and volunteers we have available to respond to patients, as well as clinical staff able to carry out remote clinical assessments.

“However, we again anticipate that on Wednesday there will be fewer ambulances available and therefore our responses to our patients will, inevitably, be much slower on the day.

“Where possible, our 999 control rooms will carefully assess and prioritise an ambulance response for those who need it most, and this may only be where there is a threat to life.

“Despite huge pressures, the NHS remains open and people are asked not to store up their health conditions or soldier on over the coming days if they are unwell – seek early advice from your local pharmacist, NHS111 online, via your local GP or Urgent Treatment Centre; and if you have a long-term condition, ensure you continue to take your routine medication as advised by your GP.

“It is important that the public use services wisely and make their own way to a treatment centre or hospital if safe to do so; this allows us to send our ambulances with life-saving equipment and clinicians on board to people who really need them.”