The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has urged the public to use the service "wisely" ahead of a planned strike later this week.
Paramedics, call handlers and other staff who work for NEAS are due to strike on Wednesday January 11, with further industrial action planned for January 23 and nurses expected to follow suit on Wednesday and Thursday January 18 and 19. And due to the strike, NEAS has pleaded with the public to only dial 999 for an ambulance for life-threatening conditions or injury.
Two unions, GMB and UNSION, have voted to take part in Wednesday's industrial action in an ongoing national dispute with the Government over the 2022/23 pay award. Talks between unions and Health Secretary Steve Barclay lasted for just an hour earlier today (Wednesday), with Unite negotiator Onay Kasab blasting the Government's approach as an "insult."