Lack of cover for Class II ambulance calls in some areas jeopardizes public safety, Steve Barclay says Politics News

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The Minister of Health claimed that the varying level of emergency coverage during the recent ambulance strikes could not be “relied upon to ensure the safety of the patient and the public”.

In a letter to the GMB union sent ahead of more strikes this month, and seen by Sky News, Steve Barclay agreed all areas that staged strikes included answering the most serious 999 calls.

But he said the lack of cover for Class II calls – which include strokes and chest pain – in some areas was “substantial to the strike risk of life”.

Mr Barclay said the government “greatly values ​​the vital work being done by ambulance workers”, but criticized the “capricious” assurances given to him about trade union coverage during the December industrial strike, claiming “the scope and extent of the arrangements”. [was] Disputed down to the wire.”

While he believed in the right to strike and that “a certain amount of disorder is inherent” during strikes, he said that “during recent proceedings I have not been reassured that the existing system of voluntary arrangements can be relied upon to ensure patience and public safety”.

His letter comes in response to an open letter from GMB to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday, in which the union alleged ambulance staff felt “devilish” and implored the government to “stop attacking us”.

It also comes ahead of the return of government anti-strike legislation to the Commons on Monday, which will set minimum service levels for fire, ambulance and railway services when sectors decide to take action – and leave unions at risk of being sued if they do not comply.

Read more: Strikes this month – who takes action and when NHS waiting lists are a ‘national scandal’ Nursing Union threatens biggest walkout yet

Mr Barclay vigorously defended the new law in the letter, saying it “will provide greater clarity and certainty about what services must continue and for how long, to give the public much needed assurance that some level of urgent and temporary critical care will always continue throughout the strike.”

The health secretary said the particular services that would be affected by the legislation were chosen “mainly because we are aware that disrupting blue light services puts people’s lives in immediate danger,” but insisted it “does not end anyone’s right to strike.”

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But Labor has vowed to vote against the bill, with party leader Sir Keir Starmer urging the government to “do the big boys, get in the room and negotiate” with the unions.

A GMB spokesperson said the union’s ambulance committee would discuss the letter from Mr Barclay at a meeting on Monday and consider their response.

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