Health Minister plea not to add extra pressure on ambulance service during strikes

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan, has urged people to take extra care and only call 999 for life-threatening or serious emergencies during the ambulance strikes.

Ambulance services are expected to be severely impacted by industrial action, as the first of two separate days of planned strike action by some ambulance staff begins tomorrow. The GMB union has announced its members in the ambulance services will go on strike on 21 and 28 December.

The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST) expects the number of emergency ambulances able to attend patients will be significantly affected on strike days.

Non-emergency patient transport, which helps people attend hospital appointments, will also be affected, as will non-clinical call handlers in WAST’s contact centres and some support services.

WAST has warned only life-threatening illnesses or injuries are likely to receive an emergency response on strike days. Patients are advised not to call 999 unless someone is very seriously ill or injured, or there is an immediate risk to life.

The very sickest patients will continue to be prioritised, while less seriously ill or injured patients will not receive an ambulance response. This might also mean patients being asked to make their own way to hospital, where their life is not in danger, provided they feel safe to do so.

People are advised to use the NHS 111 Wales website for health advice where there is no immediate threat to life, or speak to or visit a pharmacist, GP or minor injuries unit.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said:

There’s no doubt the two days of industrial action, following hard on the heels of action by nurses which have caused a delay in treatment for thousands of patients in Wales, are going to cause huge pressure on ambulance services. Ambulances will only be able to respond to the most urgent calls on strike days.

Please don’t add extra pressure on services on these days and consider carefully what activities you take part in tomorrow and on the 28th.

It’s important to call 999 if you are in immediate danger, but we must all consider very carefully how we use ambulance services on these days.

It’s vital that all of us, as users of our NHS, do all we can to minimise pressure on our health service during the industrial action.

Everyone can help relieve the pressure by:

• stocking up on prescription medications and over the counter remedies for common ailments to reduce the risk of you falling ill on strike days
• ensuring you have adequate first aid kit supplies in the event you need to administer self-care for minor injuries at home
• taking extra care during the cold weather to avoid slips, trips and falls, and accidents on the road
• looking out for family, friends and neighbours who are especially vulnerable

The Welsh Ambulance Service has published a “what you need to know” explainer about the strike action.  

What is happening? 

Trade unions representing NHS staff are in dispute with the Government over the 2022/23 pay award. A number of the unions have balloted their NHS members to take part in industrial action.

As a result, members of the GMB are striking on 21 December and 28 December.

We respect the decision of Trade Union members to strike and are working closely with colleagues to ensure that the impact on our patients is kept to a minimum and that we can continue to provide a safe service to the most acutely unwell patients across Wales.

What does this mean for NHS services in my area?

While not every service will be affected across Wales, there will be a level of disruption in most areas so it’s important you check what the position is where you live.

For more information about how services are affected in your area, head to the website of your local health board or check their social media feeds.

At the Welsh Ambulance Service, we have, and will continue to work with RCN and GMB colleagues to agree “derogations”. This refers to the services that will continue to be maintained, albeit at a reduced level, on strike days. However, this is a complex process and patients should assume that our services will be significantly affected.

What if I need urgent or emergency care?

If you need urgent care, you should contact your own GP during normal opening hours. If you’re not sure what’s wrong or are unsure what to do next, go to NHS 111 Wales online, which has lots of healthcare advice and a range of symptom checkers that can help you work out the best steps to take.

During the industrial action, our 111 telephone service is also likely to be affected as many of our clinicians and call handlers may be members of striking unions. As a result, please only call 111 if it’s absolutely necessary.

When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999 or attending A&E.

During any strike action, emergency care is still a priority and emergency services will still be available. However, it is likely that only life threatening illnesses or injuries will receive an emergency response. Other patients are likely to be asked to make their own way to hospital.

What should I do if I need an ambulance?

On days where there is strike action, patients should call 999 only for very serious or life-threatening emergencies where there is a risk to life and an ambulance is the only appropriate choice.

By its nature, strike action means that fewer ambulance crews will be available. We will still respond to emergency calls, but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life.

What if I need to contact 111?

On strike days, there may be fewer clinicians available to triage patients as many of our NHS 111 Wales clinicians may be members of unions who are taking industrial action. This means that you may wait longer to be assessed and to receive a call back.

If your call is not urgent, please go to the NHS 111 Wales website for help and advice.

There, you’ll find symptom checkers and a host of health information, as well as information on the current advice on Strep A, including when to seek medical help.

What about non-emergency patient transport?

While our NEPTS service is also likely to be affected by the GMB action, at this stage we are still working through with our TU partners what will happen.

Any patient whose transport is affected by strike action will be contacted as soon as possible to let them know and to offer some advice on alternatives. In addition, we may not accept new bookings on days of action and refer you to alter your appointment with the health board.

We will also add information to our website and use social media to let you know about any changes to services.

What can I do to help keep WAST services running?

Please only call 999 in a serious or life-threatening emergency to keep our precious resources for those who need us most.

If you’re ill or injured, consider alternatives to 999 like your GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 Wales online or Minor Injuries Unit, and stock up on prescription medications and over the counter remedies to reduce the risk of you falling ill on strike days. Please also take extra care during the cold spell to avoid slips, trips and falls, and accidents on the road.

We know this is a very disruptive time for everyone and we thank you all for your help and support as we work hard to maintain services for those most in need of our life-saving care.