Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust advice to residents on upcoming strike action

Strike action planned for tomorrow December 21 and next week on Dec 28 is expected to have a significant impact on the ambulance service's ability to respond to 999 calls.

We are sharing this advice on behalf of the service.

999 and emergency care:

• On strike days, patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured and there is a risk to life.
• Ambulances will still be able to respond in these situations, but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life.
• The service will always prioritise 999 calls according to the patient's needs and the sickest patients will always receive help first.
• it is likely that only life threatening illnesses or injuries will receive an emergency response for the duration of the strike action.
• Some patients might be asked to make an alternative arrangement, such as making their own way to hospital.

NHS 111 Wales:

• TheNHS 111 Waleswebsite should be your first port of call for health advice and information, including Strep A.
• You can also speak to a pharmacist, GP or visit a Minor Injuries Unit. You can find your nearest service on theNHS 111 Waleswebsite.
• You can call 111 with an urgent concern, but high call volume means you need to be prepared for a lengthy wait for your call to be answered.

How the public can help:

• Stock up on prescription medications and over the counter remedies for common ailments to reduce the risk of you falling ill on strike days.
• Ensure you have adequate first aid kit supplies in the event you need to administer self-care for minor injuries at home.
• Take extra care during the cold weather to avoid slips, trips and falls, and accidents on the road.
• Look out for family, friends and neighbours who are especially vulnerable.

• Frequently Asked Questions published to WAST'S website -

Latest Information on Strike Action - Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust

Statement from Health Minister- Please don’t add extra pressure on ambulance service during strikes

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan, has urged people to take extra care and only call 999 for life threatening or serious emergencies during the ambulance strikes.

Ambulance services are expected to be severely impacted by industrial action, as the first of two separate days of planned strike action by some ambulance staff begins tomorrow. The GMB union has announced its members in the ambulance services will go on strike on 21 and 28 December.

The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST) expects the number of emergency ambulances able to attend patients will be significantly affected on strike days.

Non-emergency patient transport, which helps people attend hospital appointments, will also be affected, as will non-clinical call handlers in WAST’s contact centres and some support services.

WAST has warned only life-threatening illnesses or injuries are likely to receive an emergency response on strike days. Patients are advised not to call 999 unless someone is very seriously ill or injured, or there is an immediate risk to life.

The very sickest patients will continue to be prioritised, while less seriously ill or injured patients will not receive an ambulance response. This might also mean patients being asked to make their own way to hospital, where their life is not in danger, provided they feel safe to do so.

People are advised to use the NHS 111 Wales website for health advice where there is no immediate threat to life, or speak to or visit a pharmacist, GP or minor injuries unit.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “There’s no doubt the two days of industrial action, following hard on the heels of action by nurses which have caused a delay in treatment for thousands of patients in Wales, are going to cause huge pressure on ambulance services. Ambulances will only be able to respond to the most urgent calls on strike days.

“Please don’t add extra pressure on services on these days and consider carefully what activities you take part in tomorrow and on the 28th.

“It’s important to call 999 if in you are in immediate danger, but we must all consider very carefully how we use ambulance services on these days.

“It’s vital that all of us, as users of our NHS, do all we can to minimise pressure on our health service during the industrial action.”

Everyone can help relieve the pressure by:

• Stocking up on prescription medications and over the counter remedies for common ailments to reduce the risk of you falling ill on strike days.
• Ensuring you have adequate first aid kit supplies in the event you need to administer self-care for minor injuries at home.
• Taking extra care during the cold weather to avoid slips, trips and falls, and accidents on the road.
• Looking out for family, friends and neighbours who are especially vulnerable.

NHS 111 Wales

NHS 111 Wales is a health advice and information service available 24 hours a day, every day. You can call us on 0845 46 47 if you are feeling ill and are unsure what to do, or for health information