Paramedics, call handlers and support staff will go on strike on Wednesday.
Paramedics, call handlers and other staff who work for North East Ambulance Service are due to strike on Wednesday December 21. Two unions, GMB and Unite, will strike for 24 hours while Unison members will walk out for 12 hours.
The staff are striking in a dispute over pay. Most have been offered a £1,400 increase via the NHS' pay scale, which works out as real terms pay cut for many when compared to inflation.
Read more: Why ambulance staff in the North East are going on strike
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), which serves Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, County Durham, Northumberland and Teesside is one of the trusts with staff due to take part.
The same trust declared a "critical incident" on Monday due to "unprecedented pressure" on its "ability to respond to patients".
There will still be ambulances providing emergency care during the strike. But "only be where there is an immediate risk to life".
Will there be ambulances in the North East during the strike?
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) says it has "put in place a number of contingency plans for the national strikes by healthcare unions and has agreed some exemptions to allow us to respond to high acuity life-threatening cases during the strike".
That means there will be ambulances on the roads during strike hours on Wednesday December 21, but will only be dispatched "where there is an immediate risk to life".
Stephen Segasby, chief operating officer at NEAS, said: “Our priority is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our patients and staff. We have planned with great care for this strike, but our services will be extremely busy and we do expect them to be severely disrupted.
“We also anticipate that the days after the strike will be busy and as we head into an extended bank holiday over Christmas, we want to encourage people to use services wisely and prepare where possible.
“Ambulances will still be able to respond during the strike, but this will only be where there is an immediate risk to life.
“This means that less serious calls will not receive a response for the duration of the strike action and some patients might be asked to make their own way to hospital, where it is safe for them to so.
“Patients waiting for an ambulance should only call back if your symptoms worsen so that our health advisors are available to take new emergency calls or to cancel an ambulance if alternative transport has been arranged.”
The NEAS adds it "will not be able to respond to all calls of a serious nature and there are likely to be significant delays in response for patients who have to less serious illness or injury".
Can I call 999 during the ambulance strike?
Yes, if there is an immediate risk to life, then call an ambulance, the NHS says.
"Patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, and there is risk to life. Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate."
The NHS adds: "During strike days, there is an expectation 999 services will be exempt; however, it is likely 999 call handlers will be very busy. NHS 111 call centres will have fewer staff, with longer call response times expected across the system. As a result, we are urging anyone with non-urgent care needs to first seek help from NHS 111 online."
If life is in threat the NHS urges you to ring 999 as normal.
NHS England says: "Emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country. It is really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or their life is at risk patients continue to come forward as normal."
When to call 999 during ambulance strike
The NHS says to call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
These emergencies can include:
- loss of consciousness
- a sudden confused state
- fits that are not stopping
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
- severe burns or scalds
- someone has seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
NHS England adds: "Call 999 immediately if you think you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke. Every second counts with these conditions.
"Also call 999 if you think someone has had a major trauma, such as after a serious road traffic accident, a stabbing, a shooting, a fall from height, or a serious head injury."
When should I call 111 instead of 999?
If you have a health care need where life is not in immediate danger, the NHS advises you to use the 111 service, either online or via the 111 phone number. The NHS says those seeking 'non urgent care' should use the online service, where available, due to staff levels in the call centres.
GP surgeries and pharmacies are also open.
For all other healthcare needs support will be available through NHS 111 online, via the NHS 111 helpline or at your local GP or pharmacy.
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