AMBULANCE employees are hanging today in a row over pay.
Providers shall be stretched with 1000’s of employees members having taken to the picket line.
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However what ought to you do if you need an ambulance?
Within the occasion of an emergency you ought to name 999 or go to your nearest A&E division, nevertheless strike motion would possibly imply you are delayed or are unable to get the same old degree of care you would possibly need.
Totally different sicknesses shall be handled in another way and NHS bosses have issued steerage on what to do if you suppose you need an ambulance.
Class 1 calls are for essentially the most life-threatening emergencies, reminiscent of cardiac arrest, and medics stated that these will nonetheless be responded to.
Some ambulance trusts have additionally agreed exemptions and employees will come out for particular class 2 incidents, which cowl situations reminiscent of strokes or chest ache.
Class 3 calls embody individuals who have extreme belly ache, have suffered a fall, or sufferers who might be handled in their very own houses.
This group is unlikely to be despatched an ambulance throughout strike motion, with affected person transport providers prioritising these with most cancers and palliative care appointments.
Navy personnel are being drafted in to present assist on ambulance calls in the course of the strike however won’t drive ambulances on blue lights for essentially the most critical calls.
Need an ambulance?
Steerage from the North West Ambulance Service states that if you need pressing care, you ought to first use the symptom checker at NHS 111 online.
You must also name associates or kinfolk for transport if you need to.
If you have already referred to as 999 to request an ambulance, solely name again if your situation has gotten worse or to cancel it.
The Division of Well being stated you ought to nonetheless name 999 in an emergency.
Well being minister Will Quince urged folks to keep protected throughout today’s strike, telling BBC Breakfast: “The place persons are planning any dangerous exercise, I’d strongly encourage them not to do so as a result of there shall be disruption on the day.”
The well being minister additionally advised the general public that in any emergency calling 999 ought to nonetheless be the primary choice.
“However the important thing factor is for anyone that does have an emergency state of affairs or a life-threatening state of affairs that they proceed to name 999 as they might have accomplished beforehand, and for another state of affairs, NHS 111 or NHS 111 on-line.”
