Thousands of ambulance workers on strike today
It's the second round of strikes as workers demand better pay and more resources for the NHS
Up to 25,000 ambulance workers are on strike today across England and Wales in a second round of action in a dispute with the Government over pay.
Paramedics, call handlers, drivers and technicians from the Unison and GMB unions are taking part in staggered strikes across a 24-hour period.
None of the workers will strike for longer than 12 hours, with call handlers expected to walk out for six-hour periods.
However, health leaders have warned that there will be additional stress on the system owing to this being a larger strike than one held in December.
Patients can expect waits for 999 and 111 calls to be answered, and fewer ambulances will be on the road.
Where are the ambulance strikes taking place?
Unison balloted around 15,000 of its members who are striking in London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and South West.
More than 10,000 GMB ambulance workers are also expected to strike, with their ambulance services covering the South West, South East coast, North West, South central area, North East, East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Wales.
Only a third of ambulances available in the North West
Health bosses across the North West are warning only between one-half and one-third of the region's ambulances could be running today as the second round of paramedic strikes gets underway.
Ambulance workers from the GMB union are on strike after negotiations between the unions and the government failed to reach an agreement.
They're also being joined by 999 call centre staff and Emergency Medical Technicians which has led to warnings that patients may face delays getting through to an ambulance.
As with the first round of strikes before Christmas, health bosses are urging people not to call 999 apart from in the most serious circumstances as well as asking people to make their own way to hospitals if possible.
Military brought in to help
Private ambulances as well as military personnel are being brought in to support the service for the duration of the strike.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Today’s ambulance strike is an unwelcome return to unnecessary disruption and comes at a time when the NHS is already under huge pressure from Covid and flu.
“While we have contingency plans in place, including support from the military, community first responders and extra call handlers, to mitigate risks to patient safety, there will inevitably be some disruption for patients with fewer ambulances on the road.”
In a statement North West Ambulance say says:
"While ambulances will still be available on these days, again, we need the public to support us to ensure they are available for people with life-threatening injuries and illnesses.
Typical emergencies include cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, fits that aren’t stopping, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding or allergic reactions and serious head injuries.
Other patients requiring hospital treatment will likely be asked to take alternative transport, such as a taxi or get a lift from family or friends.
Equally, people should use 111.nhs.uk, their GP or local pharmacy for help with non-urgent health concerns."
NHS could be hit hard by the strikes
Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, said trust leaders feared the NHS will be hit harder by today's strike as more staff strike.
She said “trust leaders expect significant disruption to patient care” but “will pull out all the stops” to minimise the impact.
She added: “We understand what has driven overworked ambulance workers to strike. It’s a blow that talks between the Government and unions have failed to negotiate pay and prevent more strikes.”
Talks on Monday between unions and Government ministers failed to avert the strike action, with industrial action also in the pipeline by teachers and rail staff.
Nurses are preparing to strike next Wednesday and Thursday, and a further ambulance strike is scheduled for January 23.
Unison’s head of health, Sarah Gorton, said progress had been made at a meeting with Health Secretary Steve Barclay on Monday, adding there was “ample time” to resolve the dispute before the next strike.
GMB national secretary Rachel Harrison said the union “needs a concrete offer” for its members.