For two days this week, ambulances will only attend incidents and emergencies in Wales where there is an "immediate risk to life". During this time, anyone else needing urgent medical care or that needs to go to hospital is advised to arrange to make their own way there.
This is because thousands of paramedics and other employees at the Welsh Ambulance Service are going on strike, in a dispute over pay and conditions. Around 1,500 Welsh Ambulance Service employees voted in favour of strike action last month - and their trade union, GMB, has arranged for its members and those at eight other UK ambulance services to walk out on December 21 and 28.
Whilst "emergency care is still a priority" and "emergency services will still be available," the Welsh Ambulance Service says, people are very likely to see delays and disruption to their care. Scroll down for more detail on how the strike could affect you and your family.
In Wales, strike action comes after the Welsh Government announced that most NHS staff would be receiving a £1,400 pay increase - equivalent to a 7.5% increase for lower-paid staff in Bands 1 to 4 and a 4% increase in Bands 6 - 7. Many employees saw this as an effective pay cut, when compared to the current inflation rate of around 10.6%, and did not feel this was a fair reward for their important work.
Explaining the reasons for strike action, national secretary at GMB Union, Rachel Harrison, said earlier: "Ambulance workers, like other NHS workers, are on their knees. Demoralised and downtrodden, they've faced 12 years of Conservative [UK Government] cuts to the service and their pay packets, fought on the front line of a global pandemic, and now face the worst cost of living crisis in a generation."
The ambulance worker strikes come in the same week as the second day of industrial action for nurses. Last week, nurses in all but one Welsh health board walked out in a row over pay. You can recap our coverage of the first day of the nurses strike here.
Who is on strike and when will they be going on strike?
Members of the GMB Trade Union working for the Welsh Ambulance Service, South West Ambulance Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service, North West Ambulance Service, South Central Ambulance Service, North East Ambulance Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service are all set to go on strike. This includes paramedics and all other ambulance service workers.
Their strike days have been confirmed as December 21 and 28. These strike days are in addition to the nurses' strikes - members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Union are holding their second strike day on December 20, five days after their biggest ever walk-out in Wales. You can recap our footage of this here.
What can I expect on a strike day? What should I do if I need medical care?
Emergency care is likely to be significantly delayed on strike days. But, if someone is seriously ill, seriously injured or if their life is at risk - people should call 999 or take them to A&E immediately.
A statement from the Welsh Ambulance Service explains: "During any strike action, emergency care is still a priority and emergency services will still be available. However, it is likely that only life-threatening illnesses or injuries will receive an emergency response. Other patients are likely to be asked to make their own way to hospital.
"On days where there is strike action, patients should call 999 only for very serious or life-threatening emergencies where there is a risk to life and an ambulance is the only appropriate choice. By its nature, strike action means that fewer ambulance crews will be available. We will still respond to emergency calls, but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life."
For other medical issues, people should attend their own GP during normal opening hours, or have a look at the NHS 111 Wales website for medical advice, the Welsh Ambulance Service adds. And people should avoid calling the NHS helpline on 111 unless it's "absolutely necessary" as the service is likely to be extremely busy and phone queues are likely to form, as many call handlers and clinicians will be on strike.
A statement from the Welsh Ambulance Service adds: "On strike days, there may be fewer clinicians available to triage patients as many of our NHS 111 Wales clinicians may be members of unions who are taking industrial action. This means that you may wait longer to be assessed and to receive a call back. If your call is not urgent, please go to the NHS 111 Wales website for help and advice. There, you’ll find symptom checkers and a host of health information, as well as information on the current advice on Strep A, including when to seek medical help."
People are also advised to check the website and social media pages of their local health board e.g. the Swansea Bay University Health Board or Hywel Dda University Health Board, to check for the latest information on disruption in their area.
What can I do to prepare for the strike days?
A statement from the Welsh Ambulance Service says: "Please only call 999 in a serious or life-threatening emergency to keep our precious resources for those who need us most.
"If you’re ill or injured, consider alternatives to 999 like your GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 Wales [website] or Minor Injuries Unit, and stock up on prescription medications and over the counter remedies to reduce the risk of you falling ill on strike days. Please also take extra care during the cold spell to avoid slips, trips and falls, and accidents on the road.
"We know this is a very disruptive time for everyone and we thank you all for your help and support as we work hard to maintain services for those most in need of our life-saving care."
Why are ambulance workers going on strike?
The strike is taking place as the majority of ambulance service workers who are members of the GMB trade union voted in favour of strike action over pay and conditions last month.
A statement from the Welsh Ambulance Service explains: "Trade unions representing NHS staff are in dispute with the Government over the 2022/23 pay award. A number of the unions have balloted their NHS members to take part in industrial action.
"As a result, members of the RCN [Royal College of Nursing] are striking on the 15 and 20 December, and members of the GMB are striking on 21 December and 28 December."
What does the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust say about its members going on strike?
A statement from the Trust says: "We respect the decision of Trade Union members to strike and are working closely with colleagues to ensure that the impact on our patients is kept to a minimum and that we can continue to provide a safe service to the most acutely unwell patients across Wales."
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