Army to help staff East Midlands Ambulance during upcoming strike

The army have been called in to help East Midlands Ambulance respond to calls during their upcoming strike action on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st February.

The service says unlike with previous strikes, the demand remained high during their most recent walkout on the 6th and 7th of February.

Up to 20 military personnel will be available to respond to non-emergencies to help keep ambulances free to go to the most seriously ill patients.

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.

“As we head towards the weekend, the NHS remains open and people are asked not to store up their health conditions or soldier on if they become unwell or injured – seek early advice from your local pharmacist, NHS111 Online, via your GP or Urgent Treatment Centre; and if you have a long-term condition, ensure you continue to take your routine medication as advised by your GP.

“While we continue to fully respect the right of NHS staff to take lawful and peaceful action, as an ambulance service, the most important thing for us is that we are able to provide emergency care to our patients when they need it.

“It is important that the public use services wisely and make their own way to a treatment centre or hospital if safe to do so; this allows us to send our ambulances with life-saving equipment and clinicians on board to people who really need them.”

The public are being reminded t’s important that patients who do need urgent medical care continue to come forward, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

999 call handlers will be able to advise callers if it is safe for the patient (with support of relatives or friends when required) to make their own way to a treatment centre or hospital.

During strike days, NHS 111 call centres will also have fewer staff, with longer call response times expected across the system. Anyone with a non-urgent care need is asked to seek help from the NHS 111 online: https://111.nhs.uk/

GMB and Unite trade unions have confirmed that they intend to take industrial action on the following dates this year:

GMB

• Monday 20 February at 06.00 hours until 08.00 hours Tuesday 21 February.

• Monday 6 March at 06.00 hours until 08.00 hours Tuesday 7 March.

• Monday 20 March at 06.00 hours until 08.00 hours Tuesday 21 March.

UNITE

• Monday 20 February – 00.01 hours and concluding at 23.59 hours.

• Monday 6 March –00.01 hours and concluding at 23.59 hours.

• Monday 20 March –00.01 hours and concluding at 23.59 hours.