UK ambulance staff strike tomorrow: NHS warnings to citizens
Staff in the NHS, the Anglo-Saxon national health system, are in the midst of a period of unrest and strikes, and tomorrow it is the turn of ambulance workers
NHS ambulance strike, tug-of-war with the British government
Britain is experiencing a time of great economic difficulty: inflation is galloping, and the citizens’ welfare index is seriously in the red.
But the tug-of-war with the government over wages predates this phase, and if anything, the current picture exacerbates it.
And it is precisely the government’s unwillingness even in the past that has soured tempers and pushed for radical solutions, which workers and their union representatives would have gladly avoided.
The nurses’ strikes, on 15 and today, 20 December, represented a unicum not seen for a century, and tomorrow it will be the turn of the ambulance workers.
What follows is the advice the NHS has given to its citizens.
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NHS staff strikes in December
The NHS note to citizens:
Strikes are planned on 15, 20, 21 and 28 December 2022 in some areas of the NHS.
During the strikes, it is important to obtain medical assistance if you need it.
For urgent help, use 111 online or call 111.
Call 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
Emergency departments are likely to be very busy and waiting times are longer than normal.
The NHS will contact you if you have an appointment that needs to be changed
If you have not been contacted, go to your appointment as scheduled.
GP appointments and services are not affected.
Regardless of the ongoing strike action, it is very important that patients in need of urgent medical care continue to attend as usual, especially in cases of emergency and life-threatening situations, when a person is seriously ill or injured, or their life is in danger.
If you have not been contacted, please come to your appointment as scheduled.
The National Health Service will contact you if your appointment has to be rescheduled due to the strike.
On strike days, patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental emergency (when a person is seriously ill or injured and their life is in danger).
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NHS ambulances will still be able to intervene in these situations, but only if there is an immediate risk to life
During the union action there will be fewer ambulances on the roads and the NHS will prioritise those in need of life-threatening treatment.
Consequently, patients whose condition is not life-threatening may not receive an ambulance on strike days.
During strike days, it is expected that 999 services will be exempt; however, it is likely that 999 dispatchers will be very busy.
NHS 111 call centres will be less staffed and longer response times are expected across the system.
Consequently, we urge all those in need of non-emergency care to seek help from NHS 111 online.
The NHS.UK website has more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E.
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Frequently asked questions, NHS answers
What is happening?
The unions representing NHS staff are in conflict with the government over the pay allocation for 2022/23.
Some unions have asked their NHS members to take part in industrial action.
As a result, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members will strike on 15 and 20 December 2022, GMB, Unite and Unison (ambulance staff) members will strike on 21 December 2022 and GMB (ambulance staff) members will strike on 28 December 2022.
The NHS wants a resolution as soon as possible, but the wage issue is a matter for the government and the unions.
More information on the strikes can be found on the NHS briefing site: Industrial action winter 2022.
What happens if I need urgent or emergency care?
Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the most appropriate care.
When a person is seriously ill or injured and their life is in danger, they should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999 or going to A&E.
How do strikes affect NHS services in my area?
Not all hospitals and ambulance services will be affected by strikes.
You can check which services are affected on each union’s website:
- Royal College of Nursing (15 and 20 December)
- UNISON (21 December)
- GMB (21 and 28 December)
- Unite (21 December)
What happens if I have an appointment on a strike day?
Everyone who has an appointment must turn up as scheduled, unless your local healthcare provider has contacted you to reschedule the appointment.
If you have not been contacted, please show up for your appointment even if your facility is affected by the strikes.
Will emergency assistance be affected on strike days?
Emergency assistance will continue to be available throughout the country.
It is very important that in emergency and life-threatening cases, when a person is seriously ill or their life is in danger, patients continue to present themselves as usual.
I have a loved one who will be admitted to hospital on the day of the strike: what will be the consequences for his or her care?
All hospitalised patients will be informed of the impact of their care, ward by ward, by the staff involved in their care.
Will GP services be affected on strike days?
General practitioner services will operate normally on strike days.
Please continue to attend your scheduled GP appointments.
When will I know if my appointment will be rescheduled?
The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to the strike.
It will probably be a message, phone call or letter and you will be offered an alternative date for your appointment.
If you have not been contacted, please come to your appointment as scheduled.
If my appointment is rescheduled, will I be put back on the bottom of the waiting list?
All appointments that need to be rescheduled will be given priority.
Is there anything I need to do now?
No, the NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to a strike.
Do I have to cancel my appointment on the day of the strike?
No, if you have not been contacted, go to your appointment as scheduled.
What should I do if I need an ambulance?
On strike days, patients should only call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured and if there is a risk to life.
Ambulances will be sent where clinically appropriate.
For all other healthcare needs, support will be available through NHS 111 online, the NHS 111 helpline or from your local GP or pharmacy.
The NHS.UK website has further information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E.
What is considered an emergency?
Patients should only call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured and if there is a risk to life.
Ambulances will be dispatched when clinically appropriate.
How long will services be affected?
The nursing staff strikes on 15 and 20 December 2022 will last 12 hours and the ambulance strikes on 21 and 28 December 2022 will last 24 hours.
However, patients should be aware that the return to normal services may be slightly longer.
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