East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) bosses expect next week to be "very challenging" as industrial action is planned to take place over pay. Military personnel will step in to assist non-emergency patients to protect limited numbers of ambulances available to attend to the most seriously ill people in the region.
Industrial action is planned to take place at EMAS on Monday (February 20) to Tuesday (February 21), with more than one union taking part. Ben Holdaway, director of operations at EMAS said: "We expect the industrial action period next week to be very challenging, and the implementation of military support has always been part of the NHS plans in case of increased and sustained pressure.
"At EMAS, we are expecting up to 20 military colleagues to be available to us. They will not be used to respond to emergency 999 calls. Their role will be to drive vehicles in addition to the safe moving and handling of lower acuity patients and essential equipment. This will enable our emergency crews to focus on responding to life-threatening and very serious 999 calls.
