is that correct? choice to inflict harm on patients. is that correct? good morning, no, it s not correct is that correct? good morning, no, it s not correct at is that correct? good morning, no, it s not correct at all is that correct? good morning, no, it s not correct at all and is that correct? good morning, no, it s not correct at all and it s - it s not correct at all and it s actually quite insulting to our members, nhs workers, who get up, go to work every day and put patient safety first. they are the ones who are feeling physically prevented on are feeling physically prevented on a day to day basis from being able to do theirjobs so it s really insulting that the secretary of state has said that. they ve not taken the decision to take strike action lightly. they feel they ve been forced into this position because year after year, the government have failed to listen to them. do government have failed to listen to them. , ., government have failed to listen
wants to add to that harm or increase that risk. ambulance services are already under intense pressure. here in gloucester this week, long queues of vehicles were waiting to unload patients because there was no space inside the hospital to treat them. that same problem has driven up response times across the country, with most of the services in england declaring critical incidents this week. both the government and some managers in the health service are concerned the strikes could increase the risk to patients. ambulance unions say the most serious, life threatening callouts should not be affected. they should go ahead as usual. but other services are very likely to see some disruption. the impact will vary by region. the most serious category one calls, such as someone not breathing or in cardiac arrest, will be responded to, as should some category two calls like strokes or serious burns. but other urgent problems
nhs leaders have warned that patient safety can t be guaranteed, and have asked that everyone use services wisely and to only call 999 if it s a life threatening emergency. for all other needs, contact 111. health secretary steve barclay says nhs contingency plans will not cover all 999 calls , and says ambulance unions have made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients. we to inflict harm on patients. will be speaking to ste later we will be speaking to steve barclay later in the programme. 750 armed forces staff are being drafted in as cover, however their role will be limited. they will not be sent on call outs involving critical care, nor will they provide any clinical care. the level of disruption will vary depending on where you live scotland and northern ireland are not affected but all of wales will be impacted
emergency care assistants and technicians all taking part in the industrial action. this is the scene in coventry this morning where ambulance workers have begun their strike action. nhs leaders have warned that patient safety can t be guaranteed, and have advised to only call 999 if it s a life threatening emergency. health secretary steve barclay says, ambulance unions have made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients. 750 armed forces staff are being drafted in as cover, however their role will be limited. the level of disruption will vary depending on where you live. scotland and northern ireland are not affected, but all of wales will be impacted and everywhere in england, apart from the eastern region and the isle of wight. 0ur health correspondent jim reed has been taking a look at the pressure facing a&e departments. the largest, most widespread
ambulance strike in decades has gone ahead after there was no last minute breakthrough in talks. the staggered action from three unions started at midnight across wales, the west midlands and the north of england. at 6am it was extended to the east midlands and the south, except the isle of wight. at midday, paramedics in london willjoin the strike. ambulance staff say the dispute is about pay, which hasn t kept up with inflation, but also patient safety. it s been one of the most difficult decisions ambulance workers have had to make. the current context we work in sees delays that have caused significant patient harm, and nobody who works for the ambulance service wants to add to that harm or increase that risk. ambulance services are already under intense pressure. here in gloucester this week, long queues of vehicles were waiting to unload patients