Everything you need to know about the ambulance strikes

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Images have emerged of a soldier helping to deliver critical patients to The Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton as ambulance drivers continue to strike for more pay. A British officer was seen helping transport an elderly woman into the hospital alongside a member of ambulance staff.

It has been estimated that around 10,000 ambulance drivers across the country will be on strike over the coming days with just 1,200 soldiers being used to fill the gaps. The walkouts will take place from December 23 to December 26, and then for four more days from December 28 to New Year’s Eve.

This week, NHS leaders have warned that they cannot guarantee the safety of patients while the strikes are taking place. 

Category 1 calls, the most life-threatening health issues, will be responded to. But while some ambulance trusts have agreed with their unions to respond to Category 2 callouts likes strokes and chest pain, other trusts won’t be responding to these. 

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has warned that the NHS is “under severe pressure” as a result of the strikes, meaning the public need to use their “common sense in terms of what activities they do”.

The unions are warning that, without their pay demands being met, the strikes could go on for even longer.

Unite’s Onay Kasab said: “Our members are absolutely determined to win not just the pay battle but to win the battle to save the NHS.”

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