Military to step-in during South West Ambulance strikes

The South Western Ambulance Service are reminding everyone to be mindful when calling 999 tomorrow, as Unison members go on strike.

The South West is one of five ambulance trusts walking out tomorrow, as the dispute over pay, jobs and conditions continue.

Tomorrow, the SWAST have now confirmed they will be drafting-in the military for support during the strike action.

During the strikes, they recommend people to only call the emergency services in a genuine medical or mental health emergency, and give this advice for people after other kinds of support:

• Self-care – for advice for things like grazed knees, coughs and colds - you can visit 111 Online, or call 111 for advice and support
• Pharmacy – visit your local pharmacy for headaches, upset stomachs, aches and pains
• GP – call your GP for symptoms that won’t go away
• Minor injury unit – attend your local minor injuries unit for urgent not life threatening conditions and injuries such as sprains, fractures and burns
• 999 – call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, fits that aren’t stopping, chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, severe allergic reactions, suspected stroke and serious head injuries

The NHS will still remain open - and anyone who needs to be attended by an ambulance in a genuine emergency will still get the help they need.

As such, the SWAST are urging everyone to use the service 'appropriately'.

Wayne Darch, Deputy Director of Operations, at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I’d firstly like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of my colleagues for their support over the festive period and as we head into a new year.

“On Wednesday 11 January ambulance workers will be taking industrial action, so we’re again calling on the public to help us to help those most in need of our emergency care services.

“The best way the public can help us is by only calling 999 for life threatening emergencies, we absolutely must have crews available for the most life-threatening conditions and we will be prioritising these patients.

“We know there will be patients waiting for an ambulance, and we will get to them as soon as we can. We are sorry that we may be unable to respond as quickly as we would like.

“Patients should be aware that less serious, non-life threatening incidents may not receive a response for the duration of the strike action, or that we will ask people to try and make their own way to an alternative NHS service where it is safe to do so.

“Please be reassured that we are doing all we can to manage winter pressures and the upcoming industrial action, including receiving military support during industrial action days which will allow our ambulance clinicians to be manning more ambulances and reach patients more quickly.

“If you’re waiting for an ambulance, please do not call back asking for an estimated time of arrival. We cannot provide this information and it blocks our lines from other callers reaching us.

“If the condition of a patient is not life-threatening we may direct you to alternative services. So please help us by accessing the right service for the care you need.”

For self-care advice and support, you can visit 111 Online.

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• south western ambulance service