Tens of thousands of paramedics are on strike today over a wage dispute, urging the public not to “blind drunk”, play sports or even drive to avoid the risk of ending up in the emergency room.
NHS leaders failed to ensure patient safety ahead of three union strikes in England and Wales. At least seven out of 10 ambulance services in England, as well as the Welsh ambulance service, reported critical incidents last night.
For the first time in 30 years, up to 25,000 paramedics, 999,911 paramedics and other rescuers are leaving hospitals.
People were advised to only call 999 for life-threatening issues and use 111 online first for other issues, with Health Secretary Steve Barclay saying people should “be especially careful.”
Christmas revelers have been urged to “drink responsibly” to avoid accidents and trips to the emergency room.
Dr Adrian Boyle, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), was ordered to take people with suspected stroke who feared a heart attack to the hospital as “a perfectly reasonable alternative if it’s safe”.
And women giving birth at home during today’s strike have been warned that there is no guarantee that an ambulance or paramedic will arrive if complications arise during childbirth.
About 750 troops were called to cover the union’s action, but some of them never drove an ambulance.
The unison strike lasts from noon to midnight. The GMB workers’ strike began at midnight and will end today at midnight. The Unite strike began at midnight and will end at noon.
Mr Barclay said people should “use common sense” when considering calling 999. He told Sky News: “The system will be very busy today. We urge the public to use common sense in their activities and take into account the pressure on the system.
This was stated in an interview with BBC Radio 4 by the medical director of NHS England Professor Sir Stephen Powys. today Program: “It’s the holiday season, pre-Christmas, so enjoy, but certainly don’t get drunk enough to go to the emergency room unnecessarily.
“This is good advice in the best of times, especially now that we know services are under pressure.
“Today is definitely not the best day to be in the emergency room when you don’t have to be there, when you’re at a loss, I don’t find it funny.”
In advice sent ahead of the strike on Tuesday, Sir Stephen urged people to “protect themselves and others,” including “watching any family member or neighbor who may be at particular risk to make sure everything is in order.”
Health Secretary Will Ivins said on Tuesday people should not do anything “risky” during a union action, including unnecessary car rides.
Asked why there is no national union contingency plan, Mr Barclay told Sky News: recorded on the same day.
He said he refused to negotiate money with the unions because there was “an independent process whose recommendations we fully accepted.”
RCEM leader Adrian Boyle said today’s strikes came at a “worst time” when the NHS was already “under enormous pressure”.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We had one of the busiest weekends last weekend in terms of calls to 999, to NHS 111 and probably in terms of emergency room attendance.”
Matthew Taylor, CEO of the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS organizations, urged unions to “work together” to “minimize harm to patients.”
This is because several hospitals have reported critical incidents and emergency rooms have been overwhelmed.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.