People with less severe health symptoms are strongly advised to visit a GP or pharmacy, or use telephone counseling service NHS111 instead of dialing 999 during an ambulance strike on Wednesday.
NHS bosses have warned patients that ambulances will take even longer than usual. arrive and that some people may have to make them way go to the hospital instead of waiting for paramedics.
thousands of ambulance staff in England and Wales who belong to Unison or GMB, hold second stop of their dispute with ministers over to pay. However, NHS bosses fear this strike will more destructive than the first took place on December 21 because it will include more staff, including call handlers.
“The picture will be different across the country, but with more staff strike expected this time, National Health Service in even more precarious position,” said Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy to NHS Providers, which represents health care funds.
She said trust leaders are doing everything they can to minimize the impact. of strike, but were “prepared for one more day of significant breach.”
They were humble with thousands of patients undergoing surgery or outpatient appointments postponed, causing “knock-on effect on Services in days to come,” she said. The impact will be “harder to absorb” than last month.
Deakin has previously stressed that NHS leaders “fully understand why overworked EMS workers have been forced to strike” and that ministers need study with unions in serious payment negotiations avoid further stops. Third ambulance strike expected place on January 23.
Daniel Elkeles, Executive Director of London Ambulance Service (LAS), some have said people dialing 999 won’t call an ambulance at all because there are so many of his crews would be on picket lines. “There will be fewer ambulances. on road and less staff in our dispatchers answer and evaluate 999 calls,” he said. “This means that some people will have to wait longer and some people won’t call an ambulance at all.”
People should call an ambulance only “when life is on the verge riskElkeles said.
Some patients may be advised to arrange alternative transportation to get them to the hospital.
The National Health Service of England recommended that patients use General practice services and pharmacies, and possible because the ambulance services will prioritize the most urgent cases.
“Where it is safe and appropriate, some may be asked to make their own way to the hospital, although it is important that before that they receive medical advice on the number 111 or 999, ”the message says.
Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay, said the strike was “an unwelcome return to unnecessary disruption and comes at a time when the NHS already under huge pressure from Covid and flu.
“As long as we have contingencies plans in place including support from military, community-first defendants and others call handlers to mitigate risks for patient safety there will inevitably be some kind of failure for the patients with fewer ambulances on road.”
This Article NHS urges use of GP, chemist or 111 service during ambulance strike | NHS was first Published on World Weekly News