British ambulance drivers on strike: ‘Don’t end up in the emergency room’

Following a strike by ambulance drivers, the British health service NHS has called on the population to avoid all emergencies. “People can help by taking sensible steps to protect themselves and others during this time and not end up in the emergency room.”, said the medical director of the NHS in England, Stephen Powis. This includes responsible drinking, caring for family members or neighbors, and stocking up on medications. Secretary of State Will Quince had previously warned against contact sports and “risky activities”.

Ambulance drivers are planning to strike across much of England and Wales on Wednesday in support of their demands for higher wages and better working conditions. The GGD called on people to make “sensible” use of the emergency services and only call an ambulance in life-threatening emergencies. The union had promised that emergency services would not be affected by the strikes. However, waiting times for ambulances are already considerably longer than originally planned.

750 soldiers will intervene during the strikes and drive ambulances. However, they are not intended for emergencies, but for transportation. Another strike is planned for December 28. On Tuesday, tens of thousands of nurses and hospital staff went on strike for the second time in a week. The conservative cabinet points out that its tariff offer is in line with the proposal of an independent expert committee. Wage increases above that cannot be financed.

The NHS is chronically underfunded. Hospitals are overcrowded. In the emergency department, ambulance personnel sometimes wait several hours to hand over their patients. (cpf/sda/dpa)