NURSES and ambulance staff on Wirral have joined colleagues across the country in strike action today as a pay dispute with the Government continues.

For the first time, combined strike action sees ambulance staff and nurses take industrial action on the same day, stretching resources in the ambulance service and hospitals.

Specifically, members of Unite, GMB and the Royal College of Nurses (RCN) are striking today (Monday, 6 February).

The nurses' strike is set to continue tomorrow (Tuesday, February 7) with colleagues from Unison striking on Friday (February 10).

A statement on Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust's website: "There will be national industrial action carried out by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on Monday 6th February and Tuesday, 7th February for 12 hours. This will involve strike action by RCN members at Wirral University Teaching Hospital.

"Patients and visitors may notice activity on our sites today involving NHS staff who are taking part in national industrial action. There should be minimal disruption to traffic, but please take care when driving on site.

"Trust staff and union representatives have worked together to ensure procedures are in place to ensure patient safety is maintained.

"However please be advised there may be some unavoidable delays and some services will not open on strike days.

"If a procedure or outpatient appointment has been cancelled, patients will have been contacted directly about this in advance. If patients have not heard from us, they should come in for their procedure or appointment as planned.

"Our Emergency Department will be open, but we would ask patients to only attend if they need emergency medical treatment, and to expect unavoidable impacts of the strike action, such as longer waiting times.

"Please only come to hospital in an unplanned emergency or for an appointment that is still taking place.

"If it is not an emergency, patients are asked to consider options such as visiting a pharmacist, contacting their GP, attending a walk-in centre or visiting 111.nhs.uk."

Ged Blezard, director of pperations at North West Ambulance Service, said: "It’s vital we keep the ambulances we do have available for those who really need us.

"Reasons to continue to call 999 include cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, fits that aren't stopping, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, allergic reactions and serious head injuries.

"Unfortunately, other patients requiring hospital treatment will likely be asked to take alternative transport, and delays may occur.

“For non-urgent concerns, please seek help from NHS 111 online, or contact your GP and pharmacist, who will be available during next week’s strikes.

"Also, please do not repeatedly call 999 asking for updates on where your ambulance is. Only call us back if your condition has worsened or to cancel the ambulance. We need to keep lines free for other emergencies.

"I am pleased to say that the public has listened to our previous messages, and call volumes have fallen on days of strike action. I want to say thank you, but I am also keen for this to continue.

"As before, we are maximising our own resources, using private providers and military support where appropriate and working closely with our trade unions to provide cover for the most serious emergencies.

"We are also working with our healthcare partners to maintain patient safety during these periods of industrial action."

Patients using the Patient Transport Service (PTS) today and on Friday may also be affected. Transport will only remain available for renal, oncology and palliative care appointments.

Providers will be in touch to inform patients if appointments are cancelled or to advise if you need to seek alternative transport.

"While we hope for a swift resolution to the dispute, ultimately, this is a matter between the trade unions and the government, and we must respect our colleague’s rights to take industrial action."

NHS 111 Online can tell you:

  • Where to get help for your symptoms, if you’re not sure what to do • How to find general health information and advice
  • Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
  • How to get a repeat prescription More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website.

If you are calling about a mental health concern, please use the mental health crisis line: Cheshire and Wirral – 0800 145 6485