Striking paramedics putting ‘lives at risk’

Minister proposes laws requiring minimum levels of service from ambulance staff and firefighters

Striking paramedics will put “lives at risk”, ministers have said, as 999 call handlers today walk out alongside ambulance workers for the first time. Up to 25,000 workers will take part in the biggest ambulance strikes yet, with NHS leaders fearing that the latest round of industrial action could be the most damaging for the public. The escalating action – involving 10 of the 11 ambulance trusts in England and Wales – comes despite union claims that a pay deal will soon be agreed.

STRIKING paramedics will put “lives at risk”, ministers have said, as 999 call handlers today walk out alongside ambulance workers for the first time. Up to 25,000 workers will take part in the biggest ambulance strikes yet, with NHS leaders fearing that the latest round of industrial action could be the most damaging for the public.

The escalating action comes despite union claims that a pay deal will soon be agreed. Yesterday, ministers expressed fears over the lack of cover for critical calls because unions have refused to agree to any national standards.

Grant Shapps, the Business Secretary, said ambulance workers were putting “lives at risk”, as he proposed laws requiring minimum levels of service from ambulance staff, firefighters and rail workers during the action.

He said the Government would consult on what would constitute an “adequate level of coverage” for fire, ambulance and rail services. “We don’t want to use this legislation but we must ensure the safety of the British public.”

As ambulance staff take part in today’s 24-hour strike, Mr Shapps said there would be “patchy” emergency care. “This cannot continue,” he said.

Ministers have repeatedly urged ambulance unions to commit to cover for the two most urgent categories, including all heart attacks and strokes.

But unions have insisted there would be no national agreement, leaving decisions to local negotiation. All category 1 cases, the most life-threatening incidents, such as cardiac arrest, will be covered today after all local trusts and unions agreed to it, but there is no blanket agreement on category 2 calls, which covers conditions such as stroke, heart attack and sepsis.

One government source familiar with contingency planning in Whitehall warned it would mean a “postcode lottery” of ambulance care across the UK.

Whitehall frustration is one of the reasons why minimum service levels for critical infrastructure sectors is a focus of new legislation.

The drive comes after union chiefs yesterday “seriously discussed” holding coordinated strikes next month to inflict maximum chaos upon the public.

Some pushed for a synchronised “day of action” on Feb 1 but others argued it would be premature as talks with the Government are progressing.

Health unions were especially opposed to the idea after an improved pay offer for this year was floated during talks with Steve Barclay, the Health Secretary.

A union source told The Guardian: “One of the things that was seriously discussed at the meeting … was a coordinated day of action on Feb 1. However, that looks very, very unlikely to happen. But some unions will still go out together on Feb 1 as part of their rolling action that’s happening anyway.”

The TUC has organised a “protect the right to strike” day on Feb 1 with the public asked to show support for workers who have walked out.

Unison yesterday admitted NHS employers were “particularly worried about the impact of bringing out call handlers” on strike.

Christina Mcanea, Unison general secretary, insisted the union had taken steps to mitigate against the risk by limiting their walkouts to six hours, during which time calls should be diverted to centres which were not on strike.

A spokesman for the GMB union, which represents some of the ambulance workers on strike, said it was an “extraordinary attack” by Mr Shapps.