Striking staff drop cover for strokes and suspected heart attacks

Striking ambulance workers in two regions have said for the first time that they will only answer immediately life-threatening calls — abandoning previous agreements to cover some Category 2 incidents.

Agreed exemptions (derogations) from ambulance strike action so far this winter have varied regionally and across different unions; but all have so far included some Category 2 cover.

However, GMB told HSJ its members in the North East and North West today would cover only Category 1 calls – defined as “immediately life threatening” – during their action today.

Category 2 includes more than any other category, and covers a wide range of incidents including suspected heart attacks and strokes.

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Source: HSJ, 20 February 2023