The public are being told to ‘think carefully’ before calling 999 during the ambulance strike.
Paramedics, emergency care assistants and other staff at South Western Ambulance Service (SWAST) will walk out tomorrow (Wednesday 11 January) in an ongoing dispute over pay.
People are asked to call 999 only in life-threatening emergencies and find alternate medical treatment wherever possible as ambulance crews that remain on duty try to cope with the fallout from industrial action.
Wiltshire 999s understands 25% of ambulance staff will be on picket lines and those striking can be pulled in to respond to Category 1 (life-threatening) calls and major incidents were necessary.
Fewer ambulances to respond to emergency calls mean there will likely be pressure on the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and Royal United Hospital in Bath.
In a statement, SWAST’s Deputy Director of Operations, Wayne Darch, said: “I’d firstly like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of my colleagues for their support over the festive period and as we head into a new year.
“On Wednesday 11 January ambulance workers will be taking industrial action, so we’re again calling on the public to help us to help those most in need of our emergency care services.
“The best way the public can help us is by only calling 999 for life threatening emergencies, we absolutely must have crews available for the most life-threatening conditions and we will be prioritising these patients.
“We know there will be patients waiting for an ambulance, and we will get to them as soon as we can. We are sorry that we may be unable to respond as quickly as we would like.
“Patients should be aware that less serious, non-life threatening incidents may not receive a response for the duration of the strike action, or that we will ask people to try and make their own way to an alternative NHS service where it is safe to do so.
“Please be reassured that we are doing all we can to manage winter pressures and the upcoming industrial action, including receiving military support during industrial action days which will allow our ambulance clinicians to be manning more ambulances and reach patients more quickly.
“If you’re waiting for an ambulance, please do not call back asking for an estimated time of arrival. We cannot provide this information and it blocks our lines from other callers reaching us.
“If the condition of a patient is not life-threatening we may direct you to alternative services. So please help us by accessing the right service for the care you need.”
The trust has issued the following guidelines for accessing services:
– Self-care – visit NHS 111 online for self-care advice for things like grazed knees, coughs and colds
– Pharmacy – visit your local pharmacy for headaches, upset stomachs, aches and pains
– NHS 111 – visit NHS 111 online or call 111 for advice and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week
– GP – call your GP for symptoms that won’t go away
– Minor injury unit – attend your local minor injuries unit for urgent not life-threatening conditions and injuries such as sprains, fractures and burns
– 999 – call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, fits that aren’t stopping, chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, severe allergic reactions, suspected stroke and serious head injuries.
