November 21, 2014 5.57 pm This story is over 112 months old

Strike action continues for Lincolnshire ambulance service

Strike action: EMAS staff locally will be striking due to an NHS pay dispute.
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Staff from East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) will go on strike for a second time on November 24 over pay.

The strike, which will run from 7am until 11am, is the second strike taking place due to a continued NHS pay dispute.

There will also be further action taken by staff throughout the next week just short of a strike in addition to Monday’s action.

According to EMAS, during the first strike on October 13, 10% of the work force took full strike action, with 50% of staff working normally.

Sue Noyes, Chief Executive at EMAS said: “Our contingency plans and negotiations with colleagues and Trade Unions helped us mitigate the impact the previous national strike had on our service.

“We will take the same approach this time and continue to work in partnership, both regionally and nationally, to ensure we continue to deliver emergency care, save lives and reduce any unnecessary anxiety and concern for our patients.

“The national strike will cause difficulties for all UK ambulance services and the public are reminded to use 999 appropriately during this challenging period.

“The action will affect non life-threatening emergency calls because our priority will have to be those who require an immediate response.

“Other NHS services are available to support people with minor illness or injury – they include NHS 111, general practitioner, local pharmacy or walk-in/urgent care centre.

“Thank you in advance to people in our local communities for using our emergency service appropriately.”