Sussex ambulance worker strikes: Second day of industrial action postponed until new year

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Ambulance workers will no longer strike again this month, with a second day of industrial action postponed until the new year.

The GMB Union announced last week that paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff would go on strike twice either side of Christmas.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The military were called in amid the first day of industrial action on Wednesday (December 21), with one trust declaring a ‘critical incident’. Staff were due to go on strike again next Wednesday (December 28).

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary said: “We are overwhelmed by Wednesday’s amazing public support for our paramedics and ambulance staff.

People across the country have been wonderful in backing us and we care so much about them too. That’s why we are suspending the proposed GMB industrial action on December 28. “We know the public will appreciate being able to enjoy Christmas without any additional anxiety. They support us and we support them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The workforce crisis in our NHS is so severe and our commitment to getting ambulance staff the proper pay they deserve is stronger than ever, so we are scheduling a further date for action on January 11, 2023.”

South East Coast Ambulance Service said it will ‘continue to work’ with its unions, colleagues, volunteers and system partners ‘for future periods of industrial action’.

One Brighton paramedic, who joined this week’s nationwide strike, said her long hours could be putting herself and patients at risk – and called for action from the government. Click here to read more.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
The military were called into action, amid a critical incident in Sussex with ambulance workers on strike on Wednesday (December 21). Photo: Eddie MitchellThe military were called into action, amid a critical incident in Sussex with ambulance workers on strike on Wednesday (December 21). Photo: Eddie Mitchell
The military were called into action, amid a critical incident in Sussex with ambulance workers on strike on Wednesday (December 21). Photo: Eddie Mitchell

“Across the country, GMB members in the ambulance service were given incredible support by the public when taking industrial action,” a GMB spokesperson said on Friday (December 23).

"The NHS is on its knees and the public are suffering every day because the government has failed to properly resource and plan for our health service. Nowhere is this clearer than in the appalling delays experienced in getting an ambulance and then getting into A&E.

"Solving such problems starts with getting enough people to work in the NHS. Unless the government starts to talk pay now the problems will get worse with every passing day.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The GMB said the consequences of the failure to protect the public are ‘scary’. with one in three ambulance workers seeing a death ‘due to delays’.

A rare sight of A&E ramps devoid of ambulance vehicles at Brighton's hospital on Wednesday (December 21). Photo: Eddie MitchellA rare sight of A&E ramps devoid of ambulance vehicles at Brighton's hospital on Wednesday (December 21). Photo: Eddie Mitchell
A rare sight of A&E ramps devoid of ambulance vehicles at Brighton's hospital on Wednesday (December 21). Photo: Eddie Mitchell

"As GMB revealed, NHS England’s own figures confirm deaths after transfer delays have more than doubled in the last year,” the spokesperson added.

However, Rachel Harrison said ‘the incredible British public’ are ‘why we are suspending our action over the Christmas period’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She added: “But, it also means the government can now do what ambulance workers and the public want – get round the table and talk pay now. We are here 24/7. Any time, any place. Over to you Steve Barclay [Secretary of State for Health and Social Care]. Everyone is waiting.”