The NHS has issued an urgent plea to the public as thousands of emergency workers are to head out on strike again today.
The latest round of ambulance staff strikes following several days of walkouts within the NHS since December. Industrial action has been threatening to take hold of the country, as workers across the transport network, NHS and civil service go on strike in long-running rows over pay and conditions.
NHS bosses are urging people to 'not put off seeking care and dialling 999 in a life-threatening emergency', despite the GMB strikes today. More than 10,000 GMB union members who are paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other ambulance staff at eight NHS trusts are set to walk out today, and 6 and 20 March
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NHS bosses are urging people to 'not put off seeking care and dialling 999 in a life-threatening emergency'. North West Ambulance Service is among the trusts involved, although it is understood there are no picket lines in the Greater Manchester area.
NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “As we have seen with previous industrial action, disruption is inevitable, however, it is vital that people do not put off seeking care and dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency and come forward for treatment using 111 online for non-life threatening care, as well as local pharmacies or General Practice.
"Anyone with an appointment should continue to attend as planned unless they have been contacted to rearrange.”
Emergency care will continue on strike days, the NHS has assured as industrial action is staggered and ambulance trusts will continue to respond to the most serious calls with the more limited staff numbers.
GMB union members voted against the government's 4 per cent pay rise, saying it was "another massive real terms pay cut". Unite, Unison, GMB and other unions have asked for a pay rise above inflation.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: “GMB’s ambulance workers are angry. In their own words ‘they are done’. Our message to the Government is clear - talk pay now.
“Ministers have made things worse by demonising the ambulance workers who provided life and limb cover on strike days - playing political games with their scaremongering. The only way to solve this dispute is a proper pay offer.
“But it seems the cold, dead hands of the Number 10 and 11 Downing Street are stopping this from happening. In the face of government inaction, we are left with no choice but industrial action.
“GMB ambulance workers are determined, they’re not going to back down. It’s up for this government to get serious on pay. We are waiting.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Strikes are in nobody’s best interests and only cause further disruption for patients, despite contingency measures in place. It is time unions engaged constructively with the Pay Review Body process for 2023/24 and cancelled strikes so we can move forward and continue tackling the Covid backlog.
“I’ve been clear throughout that I remain keen to keep talking to unions about what is fair and affordable for the coming financial year, as well as wider concerns around conditions and workload so we can make the NHS a better place to work.”
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