North West Ambulance Service staff have completed their latest strike day but more could be on the way after talks between the government and unions broke down.

Members of the public were asked to only call 999 in a ‘life threatening’ situations which the ambulance service said included cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, fits that aren’t stopping, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding or allergic reactions and serious head injuries.

Other patients requiring hospital treatment were asked to take alternative transport, such as a taxi or get a lift from family or friends.

Union leaders met with health secretary, Steve Barclay over the weekend to try and call off these strikes but despite ‘progress’ no deal was reached.

Unions want an above-inflation pay rise to help staff deal with the sharp rise in the cost-of-living.

They have also said that low pay was contributing to high vacancy rates and the problems the ambulance service was facing responding to emergency calls

Chair of the NHS group of unions and UNISON head of health Sara Gorton “The NHS staffing crisis is so acute only prompt action on pay – both for this and the next financial year – can start to turn things around.

“The public knows ambulance response times are worsening and hospital waiting lists growing because the NHS no longer has the necessary staff to meet demand, nor provide safe patient care. 

“Ministers must seize the initiative, get everyone around the table and negotiate a way to the best deal for staff, patients and services.”

These latest strikes come at a time when the government is proposing a minimum service bill which is designed to lessen the impacts of strikes.

The bill would seek to impose service levels in the NHS, education, fire and rescue, border security, and nuclear decommissioning that must always been maintained.

The proposals have drawn criticism from Paul Nowak, the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, who said that it would "prolong disputes and poison industrial relations – leading to more frequent strikes”.

Ambulance staff will once again walkout on Monday, January 23 and have warned that more strikes could be planned into the spring if a pay deal is not reached.

 

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