The Government is working hard to make sure that ambulance services continue to respond to life-threatening and critical cases in the face of strike action from unions this winter.
As a Government, we are hugely grateful for the hard work and dedication of all NHS staff and deeply regret that some union members have voted for industrial action. The Government remain keen to continue a dialogue with nursing unions.
Most ambulance staff have received a pay rise of at least 4 per cent, increasing average basic pay to around £34,300. On average, ambulance staff have additional earnings worth around 37 per cent of basic pay, covering unsocial hours, geographical supplements and overtime. This takes total earnings to around £47,000 per person and those who are members of the NHS Pension Scheme also receive a pension contribution worth 20 per cent of their salary.
The Government's priority is keeping patients safe during the strike action – NHS England has contingency plans in place, but that can only go so far in limiting the significant impact on patient safety caused by the union drive to cause massive disruption to services.
If you have a life-threatening or critical case, please do not hesitate to phone 999.
