Ambulance service bosses in Greater Manchester have said they will use 'private providers' and military support again next week as staff plan to walk-out in an ongoing dispute over pay.
Members of the GMB and Unison unions employed by North West Ambulance Service are due to take industrial action on Wednesday, with one union confirming picket lines would be in place by 7am. Paramedics, call-handlers, technicians and other NWAS staff also walked out before Christmas in the first strike on December 21.
But this time, NWAS bosses have warned the strike action on January 11 would see more staff striking in more service areas. They warned of reduced ambulance crews on the roads and fewer 999 and 111 call handling staff available. Meanwhile patient transport services - the moving of patients to hospitals and healthcare settings from home - will only prioritise people attending cancer, renal and palliative care appointments, confirmed NWAS.
