GMB Union ambulance workers' strike to include New Forest and Christchurch
AMBULANCE workers who cover the New Forest and Christchurch will join strike action across the south on Monday.
Paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff in the GMB Union will walk out for 18 hours from 6am-midnight.
The two local ambulance services affected will be South Central and South West.
They will be among more than 3,500 union members across the south-east and south-west regions taking part in the dispute.
A GMB spokesperson said: "Workers across the ambulance service voted to strike over the government’s imposed 4% pay award and are furious over the government’s apparent attempts to ‘smear’ them over life and limb cover on strike days."
Health secretary Steve Barclay warned of delays and disruption for patients, adding: “I have held constructive talks with the trade unions on pay and affordability and continue to urge them to call off the strikes.
"It is time for the trade unions to look forward and engage in a constructive dialogue about the Pay Review Body Process for the coming year.”
He also advised patients to attend appointments unless told otherwise, use 999 in a life-threatening emergency, and NHS 111 online services, GPs and pharmacies for non-urgent needs.
Will Warrender, chief executive of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have been asking you to support us by only calling 999 for life-threatening emergencies, and so far your continued support has meant we have been able to prioritise those patients most in need of our help.
“If you are 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 for other callers.
“You should also be aware that less serious, non-life-threatening incidents may not receive a response for the duration of any strike.
“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 crew more ambulances and reach patients more quickly.”
A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said about 230 of it around 4,50workerssr would be walking out, with the biggest impact on non-emergency patient transport service in Surrey and Sussex.
They added: "We have been working closely with our local and regional GMB representatives to make sure essential services are maintained and impact on patients is minimised.
"We continue to urge people to only call 999 in a life-threatening or serious emergency and patients who require an ambulance where it is not time-critical may face a longer wait – we ask for your patience if this happens and to only call us back if the patient’s condition worsens.
"Pharmacists, GPs, urgent treatment centres, 111 online and the NHS app are all available and can advise on a range of minor illnesses and injuries, including advice on managing symptoms and repeat prescriptions."
