The public are being reassured that the ambulance service will continue to respond to incidents where there is a threat to life on Wednesday, despite strike action by the GMB union.

Members have indicated that they will undertake strike action from 00:01 – 23:59 in response to a national pay dispute with the government. Emergency Services Operations Delivery Director, Nathan Hudson, said:

“We have had productive discussions with our staffside colleagues to agree that ambulances will respond to the most urgent calls such as cardiac arrests and where a crew request immediate back up at the scene of a case.

“They will also respond to other life-threatening cases such as heart attacks, strokes, difficulty in breathing and maternity cases.

“In addition, staff in our non-emergency patient transport service will continue to convey vulnerable groups such as patients undertaking renal dialysis, cancer treatments, palliative care, emergency scans within the strike period timeframe.

“Only call 999 if critically unwell or there is risk to life. Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate.

“If you need medical help or advice, go to NHS 111 online, your local GP or pharmacy.”