Ambulance Service plans for Day of Action

Local residents are being asked to think before dialling 999 on Wednesday.

West Midlands Ambulance Service is urging the public to use the 999 service as sparingly as possible on Wednesday, when a number of staff will be taking part in a national day of action.

Negotiations with the three recognised trade unions, UNISON, Unite and the GMB have been taking place over the level of emergency cover that will be provided on the day and WMAS Director of Service Delivery, Barry Thurston, said: “At this stage we are unable to say exactly how much of an impact the industrial action will have so I would urge all members of the public to be mindful of the need to use our service wisely and where possible use other parts of the NHS to access healthcare such as minor injury units, walk in centres, pharmacists, NHS Direct and self care.

“We have agreed with our unions that ambulance staff will deal with 999 life-threatening emergency calls.

“They have also agreed that the non-emergency Patient Transport Service will continue to provide transport to vulnerable groups such as patients undertaking renal dialysis, cancer treatments, obstetrics and palliative care.”