There is industrial action planned by some members of staff who work for ambulance services on Wednesday 11 January (00:01 to 23.59) 2023.  

All local health and care partners are working together to ensure services are as prepared as possible to deal with any impact.

Important information for patients

  • Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
  • If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
  • However, services remain very busy so, as is always the case, the public can help by choosing the right service for their need:
  • If you need medical help or advice, go to NHS111 online unless it’s a life-threatening emergency when you should still call 999.
  • Patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency (when someone is seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk). Ambulances will still be able to respond in these situations, but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life. There will be fewer ambulances on the roads during industrial action, with the NHS prioritising those with life-threatening needs. As a result patients whose conditions are not life-threatening may not get an ambulance on strike days.
  • There is more information for you on the industrial action on the NHS England website

As is always the case, please help to keep emergency departments for very serious and life threatening conditions. If you have a less serious health need, there is advice on where to seek support on our website.