Ambulance workers in Dorset vote to go on strike before Christmas

Members of Unison, the union for South Western Ambulance Service (SWAST), voted overwhelmingly to strike in December. 

More than 80 per cent of its members voted in favour, with paramedics saying they don’t wish to strike but they feel they have no choice. 

One paramedic at Poole Hospital, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “We don’t want to go on strike but at the end of the day our pay doesn’t reflect the work we do and we want more.” 

Ambulance staff will join nurses who recently voted to go on strike too (Image: Daily Echo)

Read more: Ambulances queueing outside Poole Hospital due to 'exceptional demand'

Another paramedic added: "It’s not all about money; it’s about people dying and this can’t go on."

SWAST paramedics, along with emergency care assistants and call handlers, will join other trusts across the country in industrial action.

We asked SWAST what disruption is expected, how they plan to provide services and who - such as military personnel - could drive the ambulances in the run up to Christmas. 

A spokeswoman for SWAST said there is a “robust plan” in place for any strike but would not go into any more detail. 

The government has argued that due to current economic circumstances, the union’s demands are “not affordable”.

Read more: Woman's anguish over ambulance times after husband's death

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “I’m hugely grateful for the hard work and dedication of NHS staff and deeply regret some will be taking industrial action – which is in nobody’s best interests as we approach a challenging winter.  

Ambulances outside Poole Hospital (Image: Daily Echo)

“Our economic circumstances mean unions’ demands are not affordable - each additional one per cent pay rise for all staff on the Agenda for Change contract would cost around £700 million a year.” 

He added: “My door remains open to discuss with the unions ways we can make the NHS a better place to work.” 

Unision general secretary Christina McAnea said: “The decision to take action and lose a day’s pay is always a tough call. It’s especially challenging for those whose jobs involve caring and saving lives. 

“But thousands of ambulance staff and their NHS colleagues know delays won’t lessen, nor waiting times reduce, until the government acts on wages. That’s why they’ve taken the difficult decision to strike. 

“Patients will always come first and emergency cover will be available during any strike but, unless NHS pay and staffing get fixed, services and care will continue to decline.”