Hundreds of ambulance staff across Wales are striking today
The public are being urged to avoid 'risky behaviour' as ambulance resources will be limited during the walk out.
Last updated 21st Dec 2022
As many as 1,500 ambulance workers across Wales are walking out today and next Wednesday (Dec 28) in an ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions.
The public are being asked to avoid 'risky behaviour' and to avoid contact sports during this time as ambulance resources will be limited during the walk out.
The Welsh Ambulance Service say it is likely that only life-threatening illnesses or injuries will receive an emergency response, with other patients are likely to be asked to make their own way to hospital.
Nathan Holmes from the GMB Union says his members tell him they are resorting to using food banks to feed their families and are at risk of losing their homes as the cost of living continues to rise: " They've worked extremely hard during the pandemic, everybody went out and clapped for them, supported them. Claps don't pay the bills."
"They've got to be able to survive, they've got families to look after. Enough is enough. This 4 percent pay rise, or 8 percent pay cut just isn't sufficient."
"Our members do not want to strike, it's the last thing ever on their mind. But we're being given no option whatsoever from the Westminster Government. They are refusing to get around the table and talk about pay, but pay is the main issue."
Sarah Hill from the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff said: "We are doing the best that we can, but nurses are leaving their shifts every day, every day crying and in tears because they don't feel like they're supported or listened to."
"I've been nursing for 39 years and nurses have never had a decent pay rise in my opinion. We've been neglected for years and years now and because of that the staff is reducing - people are leaving, people are retiring early and students are not coming into the profession."