THE ambulance service for the South West of England has urged people to “think carefully” before calling 999 during industrial action tomorrow (Wednesday, January 11).
Ambulance workers with Unison and the GMB Union are striking again this week in an ongoing pay dispute with the government.
The latest walkout follows industrial action by ambulance staff at the end of December.
The South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS) is appealing to the public to only call 999 during the strike if it is a life threatening or life altering emergency.
The service says ambulances will still be able to respond in medical or mental health emergencies, “when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.”
But it says this may only be where there is “the most immediate risk to life”.
In a statement, Deputy Director of Operations at the SWAS NHS Foundation Trust, Wayne Darch, thanked his colleagues and NHS partners for their support during the previous strike, as well as the public for using the service “appropriately”.
The trust has also issued advice for the public on which services they should access during the strike.
Mr Darch said: “I’d firstly like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of my colleagues for their support over the festive period and as we head into a new year.
“On Wednesday 11 January ambulance workers will be taking industrial action, so we’re again calling on the public to help us to help those most in need of our emergency care services.
“The best way the public can help us is by only calling 999 for life threatening emergencies, we absolutely must have crews available for the most life-threatening conditions and we will be prioritising these patients.
“We know there will be patients waiting for an ambulance, and we will get to them as soon as we can. We are sorry that we may be unable to respond as quickly as we would like.
“Patients should be aware that less serious, non-life threatening incidents may not receive a response for the duration of the strike action, or that we will ask people to try and make their own way to an alternative NHS service where it is safe to do so.
“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 be manning more ambulances and reach patients more quickly.
“If you’re 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 from other callers reaching us.
“If the condition of a patient is not life-threatening we may direct you to alternative services. So please help us by accessing the right service for the care you need.”
The trust has issued the following guidelines for accessing services:
- Self-care – visit NHS 111 online for self-care advice for things like grazed knees, coughs and colds
- Pharmacy – visit your local pharmacy for headaches, upset stomachs, aches and pains
- NHS 111 – visit NHS 111 online or call 111 for advice and support 24hours a day, seven days a week
- GP – call your GP for symptoms that won’t go away
- Minor injury unit – attend your local minor injuries unit for urgent not life threatening conditions and injuries such as sprains, fractures and burns
- 999 – call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, fits that aren’t stopping, chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, severe allergic reactions, suspected stroke and serious head injuries.