Plea to continue using services wisely during fourth industrial action
As North East Ambulance Service prepares for further periods of industrial action following a dispute between trade unions and the Government over the 2022/23 pay award, it is once again appealing to the public to use services wisely.
The next period of industrial action is expected on Monday 20 February 2023 as follows:
- GMB 06.01 hours to 05.59 hours on Tuesday 21 Feb
- Unite midnight to midnight
GMB has escalated their action on 20 February. The only derogation they have agreed for their members is to respond to category 1 calls only. Please note this is a substantial change from previous strike days. No derogations have been agreed with GMB for patient transport services, call taking, dispatch or emergency care response to ‘life and limb’ incidents which are not categorised as C1. This includes category 2 conditions such as chest pain and strokes.
Stephen Segasby, chief operating officer at North East Ambulance Service, said: “
“This is a substantial change from previous strike days and will affect the number of patients we are able to attend to and those needing transport to and from hospital appointments.
“The support from the public in using our services wisely during the previous periods of industrial action has really helped us prioritise our resources for those who need them most.
“Similarly, our partners across the NHS have shown us great support to keep our available crews on the road. However, we know other parts of the health system continue to experience pressure so we cannot rely on that alone.
“We will do all we can to keep our patients safe next week. 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.
Notes to editors
Notes to editors
We ask for your support to share this message over the weekend to help us warn and inform patients across the region.
We are working to ensure patients still get to appointments for life-saving treatment, such as dialysis and chemotherapy. Other planned journeys to appointments have been cancelled where there is not an essential need and patients have been asked to make alternative travel arrangements, or appointments rearranged.
All unions have agreed that their members will respond in the event of a major incident being declared.
NEAS will be boosting resources to assist with:
- Emergency care – increasing the number of private and voluntary ambulance services available on strike days.
- Patient transport - the transportation of low acuity patients and our discharge service using military personnel, volunteer ambulance car service drivers and taxis.
- Non-clinical support roles - a redeployment of some corporate service staff into non-clinical supporting roles.
For media enquiries, please contact the press office on 07559 918672 or publicrelations@neas.nhs.uk