Ambulance chiefs today warned Londoners that a NHS pay strike on Thursday will be “much more disruptive” than before - with thousands of people not getting emergency help.
Car crash victims, people with broken bones, pregnant women in labour and pensioners who have fallen and cannot get up will not get a response if their condition is not life-threatening.
This goes well beyond restrictions introduced during previous walkouts as the latest dispute is scheduled to last for 24 hours - six times longer than before.
The action, due to start at midnight on Wednesday, will place the London Ambulance Service (LAS) under unprecedented pressure, with soldiers and police driving ambulances and nurses and doctors volunteering as stand-in paramedics. Its effects are expected to continue well into Friday.
LAS chief executive Dr Fionna Moore said: “We will be unable to send an ambulance response to some patients with broken bones, some older people who may have fallen and cannot get up and some people in road traffic collisions where their life is not immediately at risk.
“We’d encourage Londoners to plan ahead, be sensible about their activities and be prepared should they need medical help on Thursday.”
The action is in response to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s refusal to implement the findings of an independent pay review panel for a one per cent rise for all NHS staff.
GMB members will be on strike for 24 hours, with Unison and Unite members protesting for 12 hours, starting at midday on Thursday.
The LAS advised friends and family of vulnerable people to be ready to take them to hospital or use other options such as Urgent Care Centres, pharmacies, their GP and NHS 111.
Advice includes:
- If you are feeling unwell before Thursday, do not to wait to get help, but seek advice from your GP or pharmacist beforehand.
- If you have a long-term or chronic condition, try not to be alone on Thursday.
- If you have regular medication - please make sure you have collected your prescription.
- If you are in the late stages of pregnancy, ensure family or friends can take you to hospital should you go into labour.
Dr Moore said: “Those looking after vulnerable groups - such as older people, children and people with long-term conditions - should be prepared to make alternative arrangements to get medical help or transport those in their care to hospital.”
Talks aimed at averting the strike by health workers are “ongoing”, officials said.
