London Ambulance Service announces ‘business continuity incident’ | UK News

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The London Ambulance Service has declared a “business continuity incident” amid mounting pressure on its services.

It said its 999 and 111 services “remain very busy” and will be “a priority for our sickest and most injured patients.”

He urged the public to only call 999 in serious medical emergencies, and to use 111 online if they need quick help – but it’s not a life-threatening emergency and make their way to hospital if it’s safe and they can do so. .

Ambulance workers went on strike

It comes as thousands of nurses will stage a second strike today over wages, while ambulance workers including paramedics, control room workers and technicians will also walk out in England and Wales tomorrow.

The government announced controversial plans to deploy more than 1,000 civil servants and 1,200 soldiers to cover striking ambulance workers and Border Force personnel, who are preparing to go out for eight days from December 23 until New Year’s Eve.

Unions described the move as a “desperate measure” and warned soldiers and women not to be “adequately trained” to fill frontline recruitment gaps.

During the ambulance strike, the military will not drive ambulances to blue lights for more serious calls, but will be expected to provide support for less serious calls.

Negotiations about which incidents should be excluded from the strike

Unions and ambulance services are still negotiating which accidents should be exempt from the strike.

All Category 1 calls (most life-threatening such as cardiac arrest) will be answered, while some ambulance companies have agreed exceptions with unions for specific incidents under Category 2 (serious conditions, such as stroke or chest pain).

This means that those who suffer trips, falls, or other non-life-threatening injuries may not receive treatment.

London Ambulance Service said that “patients whose condition does not pose a threat to their lives are unlikely to receive an ambulance on strike days”.

She said that where the situation was not life-threatening, alternative support would be available through NHS 111 online or through NHS 111.

GMB members are set to stage a second strike for ambulance workers on December 28.

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