March strike dates to have 'significant impact' on ambulance services

Most members of the public who call 999 on planned strike dates later this month will not be sent an ambulance unless the situation is life-threatening or there is an immediate serious need.
 
Members of two additional unions – Unite and Unison – are joining members of the GMB union in taking industrial action on selected dates in March.
 
The South Central Ambulance Service said the move represents an ‘escalation of industrial action’ and will see a greater proportion of its workforce involved in the walkout.
 
The ambulance trust said the strike action has been called over a dispute between the unions and Government, not SCAS as an employer.
 
The dates when staff walkouts are taking place are as follows:

• Monday, March 6 – GMB and Unite
• Wednesday, March 8 – Unison
• Monday, March 20 – GMB, Unite and Unison

 
Mark Ainsworth, director of operations at SCAS, said: "We have seen on previous days where significant industrial action in the NHS outside of SCAS has taken place, that the public have heeded our pleas to only call 999, or go to A&E, for immediately life-threatening or serious emergencies.

 “I would urge people in our region to help us - and more importantly help those people who really need us in a life or death situation - to please keep doing this on March 6, 8 and 20.”

Members of the public are being urged to use alternatives to 999 where possible, including contacting their GPs or local pharmacies.

The ambulance trust said it has been working with the GMB, Unison and Unite unions to ensure the impact on patients is minimised.

But the trust said most people calling 999 on planned strike dates without a life-threatening or immediate serious need will most likely not be sent an ambulance and will be directed to alternative services instead.

SCAS said all three strike dates will see its services severely affected but Wednesday, March 8 is expected to be the most impacted.