A health minister has urged people to avoid “risky activity” during a planned strike from ambulance workers on Wednesday. Will Quince said those in need of emergency help should continue to call 999, but disruption to services was inevitable.
Around 750 armed forces staff are being drafted in to cover the walkouts in England and Wales.
Mr Quince said ambulances should still respond to the most serious calls. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he said ministers wanted category 1 and 2 situations, including cardiac arrests and strokes, to be covered. Health Secretary Stephen Barclay will meet unions later to discuss staffing levels during the strikes.
Mr Quince said the military staff drafted in for Wednesday would provide “support capacity” for individual NHS trusts.
He added that they would not be able to drive ambulances under blue lights, go through red lights or break the speed limit – but would help ambulance staff to get people to A&E more quickly.
Health chiefs have warned of “extensive disruption,” and urged hospitals to free up beds by safely discharging patients ahead of industrial action.
Measures should also be put in place to make sure ambulance patient handovers are kept to no more than 15 minutes, they advise.
Mr Quince said the government expected category 1 and 2 calls to be responded to. As well as cardiac arrests and strokes, these categories also include heart attacks, serious burns, and compound fractures, he said.
Source: BBC
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Disgraced Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty of rape and two counts of s.e.xual assault against an Italian actress and model – known as Jane Doe 1 – by a jury in Los Angeles, California.
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