Soldiers and police will drive ambulances in London when paramedics take part in strike action on Monday.
The London Ambulance Service expects to be under “significant pressure” when staff participate in the latest phase of a national protest over NHS pay. Ambulance chiefs today pleaded with people to only call 999 in a “life-threatening emergency”.
The Ministry of Defence is providing 120 military personnel, while the Metropolitan Police will send 150 officers. A further 12 soldiers and 40 police officers will be held in reserve.
The walkout, involving GMB and Unison members, will last from 7am to 11am but the effect is expected to last throughout Monday.
Industrial action last month saw 77 per cent of ambulance crews and 14 per cent of control room staff take part. Similar levels are expected on Monday, which will see soldiers and police working in pairs, with one driving and one navigating. A paramedic, doctor or nurse, volunteering from elsewhere in the NHS, will be carried in the back to treat patients. Ambulance managers with clinical training will be on the frontline.
Police drivers will be able to take their ambulances through red lights, but soldiers will not. Private ambulances will also be deployed.
Jason Killens, director of operations at the LAS, said: “Only people in a life-threatening emergency will get an ambulance response between 7am and 11am on Monday.
“People with injuries such as minor broken bones, women in routine labour, some patients with breathing difficulties or those involved in minor road traffic accidents will be given clinical advice, provided with alternative transport or told to make their own way to hospital.”
He asked Londoners who were not seriously ill to call the NHS 111 helpline. “We have plans in place for our most seriously ill and injured patients.”
