Plea to continue using ambulance services wisely during an expected extended period of industrial action

Unison, GMB and Unite unions are calling on their members to take part in industrial action once again over a dispute with the Government over the 2022/23 pay award.

Negotiations between the Government and unions continue but until a resolution is reached, NEAS is preparing for industrial action to continue as planned for further periods of action from Saturday 18 March to Friday 23 March.

As previously, all service lines are affected, including ambulance crews, 999 and 111 call centres and Patient Transport Service (PTS).

The periods of action are expected as follows:

• Unison – action short of strike:
  • 18/3/23 00:00 – 20/3/23 07:00
  • 20/3/23 19:00 – 23/3/23 23:59

• Unison – strike action
  • 20/3/23 07:00 hours until 19:00

• GMB - strike action
  • 20/3/23 06:01 until 21/03/23 05:59 hours

• Unite - strike action
  • 20/3/23 00:00 - 23:59

As previously, all service lines are affected, including ambulance crews, 999 and 111 call centres and Patient Transport Service (PTS).

During previous periods of action, demand on our service has remained high and we expect the same again next week.

Unison is planning action short of a strike for a week from Saturday 18 March through to Friday 23 March, will a full 12-hour strike planned for Monday 20 March.

For the 20 March, Unison has agreed derogations for its members to respond to category 1 calls and category calls where a clinician has deemed that a person is at risk of losing a life or limb. The union has agreed that there will be 70% coverage within the Emergency Operations Centre and that patient transport crews will continue to offer transport for essential clinics, such as dialysis and oncology.

However, GMB has escalated its action and has agreed for its members to respond to category 1 calls only. No derogations have been agreed with GMB for patient transport services, call taking or, dispatch.

As a result, it is likely there will be fewer ambulances available to respond to Category 2 calls, such as stroke and chest pain, during this period of action.

Both unions have agreed that their members will respond in the event of a major incident being declared.

Vicky Court, deputy chief operating officer at North East Ambulance Service, said: “During previous periods of action, demand on our service has remained high and we expect the same again this week.

“However, the extended period of action by Unison and the reduced derogations offered by GMB will delay our response to patients, limit the number of patients we are able to attend to and impact those needing transport to and from hospital appointments.

“With this in mind, it’s more important than ever that the public continue to help us prioritise our resources for those who need them most by using our services wisely.

“We will do all we can to keep our patients safe. As with the other periods of action, we are putting contingencies in place to maximise our available resources. However, we are expecting a significant impact on our services, which will limit our ability to respond to patients who are not at immediate threat of losing a life or limb.

“We ask that the public continue to consider which is the best service for their needs and only pick up the phone in a life or limb threatening emergency. GP surgeries, pharmacies and urgent treatment centres will still be open and 111.nhs.uk will be available for anyone unsure of where to turn for help.

“Patients waiting for an ambulance should only call back if your symptoms worsen so that our health advisors are available to take new emergency calls; or to call back to cancel an ambulance if alternative transport has been arranged.

“We really do appreciate your support and thank you, once again, for helping us to keep the public safe.”

For further guidance on the industrial action, visit the NHS England website.

ENDS