East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has revealed that emergency calls reduced by around 20% during the most recent strike by its workers. Industrial action by members of the GMB union at EMAS saw them walk out for 24 hours on January 11.
Unions representing millions of public sector workers across the country have been holding talks with the Government, with discussions focusing in particular on pay rises. Ambulance workers had been offered a pay rise of 4.75% after similar industrial action in December, rising to 7% for the lowest-paid.
But workers are demanding a rise that reflects the rising rate of inflation and members of the Unite union at EMAS are now due to take part in another strike on January 23. Ben Holdoway, director of operations at EMAS, said: "We hugely appreciate members of the public for their ongoing cooperation by seeking out the most appropriate service for their healthcare needs – whether that is through your pharmacy, your local GP, urgent treatment centre or using NHS 111 online.
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"Wednesday was an immensely challenging day this week, however the regional plans drawn up at EMAS and the huge effort behind the scenes and across the wider NHS to minimise the impact of industrial action on patient safety was appreciated. Our approach was supported by the public who responded to the plea to use services wisely and to make their own way to a treatment centre or hospital if safe to do so."
EMAS is urging people to continue 'using services wisely' so that the organisation can focus on sending ambulances to patients whose lives are at immediate risk. People are being asked to only call 999 if there is a risk to life or if someone is seriously ill or injured.
Mr Holdoway added: "We are grateful to our colleagues both on and off the picket lines, and in the trade unions, for their professionalism and collaboration throughout industrial action, to ensure we could continue to respond to patients in need of an emergency response. We will continue to work with trade union colleagues closely to keep patients safe in any future periods of industrial action and continue to fully respect the right of NHS staff to take lawful and peaceful action.
"However, we are urging national employer representatives and trade union colleagues to proactively engage and reach a negotiated settlement to the dispute as quickly as possible."
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