Disruption possible at the region’s ambulance service during industrial action (Friday 14 July)

Some disruption is expected at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust during forthcoming industrial action (Friday 14 July) and the public are, once again, being asked to only call 999 for an ambulance where a patient is in a life-threatening or very serious condition.

Strike action by members of Unite the Union is planned on Friday 14 July across all services, and A&E Operations (frontline emergency ambulances and 999 call handling) and NHS 111 are expected to experience the greatest impact. 

This industrial action is part of a national pay dispute with the government. 

Whilst we recognise and respect individuals’ legal right to participate in industrial action, our priority remains ensuring that patient and staff safety, welfare, dignity, and respect are maintained. Yorkshire Ambulance Service has put contingency plans in place to allow it to respond to life-threatening and very serious cases during the strike, and hopes that any disruption will be limited.

Jackie Cole, Deputy Head of Operations at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said:
“We’re asking people to use our emergency service appropriately on Friday so that resources can be focused where they are most needed, and particularly on very serious and life-threatening incidents.

“All of our services are likely to see some disruption, with a possibility of delays in emergency responses and telephone calls to 999 and NHS 111 being answered. It’s also important to note that this strike action coincides with industrial action being taken by junior doctors.

“We will be here for those who really need us, but you should only call 999 when someone is in a life-threatening or very serious condition.

“Patients waiting for an ambulance should only call back if their symptoms worsen or to cancel an ambulance if alternative transport has been arranged, so that our lines are available to take new emergency calls.”

“We also ask that people seek help and advice from alternative healthcare providers, including NHS 111 Online (111.nhs.uk), or by visiting a pharmacist.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor
Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust covers almost 6,000 square miles of varied terrain from isolated moors and dales to urban areas, coastline and inner cities and provides 24-hour emergency and urgent healthcare services to a population of more than five million people. The Trust employs just over 7,000 staff and has support from over 1,050 volunteers.

In 2022-23, our Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) staff received 1,208,907 emergency and routine calls, an average of 3,312 calls a day. We responded to a total of 780,774 emergency incidents through either a vehicle arriving on scene or by telephone advice. 

Our Patient Transport Service made over 722,000 journeys transporting eligible patients to and from hospital and treatment centre appointments, and the Trust’s NHS 111 service helped around 1.52 million patients across Yorkshire and the Humber, Bassetlaw, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.