Ambulance strike is disgraceful?

[somethingdifferenttoday]

I just read this on bbc news, "Unions say life-threatening callouts will continue to be responded to over the next 24 hours but some urgent calls, for example for late-stage labour or a fall in the home, might not be answered."

Is it just me who thinks this is disgraceful?

Late stage labour at home or an elderly person laying with a broken hip ARE emergencies! I'm not sure how people in a caring profession can strike knowing these calls will go unanswered.

The unions talk about the backlog, paramedics stuck outside hospitals in ambulances unable to unload and go back out on the road but then admit they are striking for more pay rather than as a protest about that. The average salary of ambulance staff of £47,000 and a 4% pay rise isn't enough they claim but if they are given a pay rise, they will stop striking.

I think they do deserve more money (we all do with inflation) but I can't get past them supposedly being in a caring profession but taking steps that WILL cause extra deaths regardless.

I work in the private sector and have had zero pay rise. If I went on strike nobody would die and I'd be fired. This approach is abusing the critical position of their roles. I hope they are not given a pay rise as it will just demonstrate that blackmail works to other public sector workers and we will have even more strikes.

YABU = I support them striking
YANBU = I agree, it's disgraceful behaviour from a caring profession

I will admit that the situation concerns me, over the next couple of days.

DH and I are both pensioners, with long term health problems. DH has, over the last year, been very poorly, and we have needed ambulances a few times - they have always been swift and brilliant with looking after him.

Hospital care has varied, but it's obvious they are under a huge strain.

But, I genuinely wonder what will happen if one of us does need an ambulance - there's no way I could get him into a cab.😗

We have decided to stay in for the rest of the week, to start least lessen any risks, but it's not great.

But, something needs to change with the NHS - it's failing both patients and staff at the moment with all the ongoing chaos, even on non-strike days.

So, I do support them, and the government need to stop with all the grandstanding and get around the negotiating table over pay.

But, I do think the NHS needs root and branch reform, because it's getting worse, despite billions thrown at it.. Ideally, it would be carried out on a cross-party agreement.

The delay in receiving an ambulance played a major role in the death of a relative several years ago, so I really do understand the gravity of the situation and just what’s at stake.

I fully support the strike(s). An underfunded, understaffed, overworked ambulance service kills people. Paramedics have no other options that demonstrate just how dire the situation is. There is shame in this situation, and it belongs to the current government for leaving NHS staff no other option.

Why would you blame overworked ambulance technicians on £22k, having to go to foodbanks, and not millionaire politicians who gave themselves a £2k pay rise this year?

Those saying what if it’s your mum waiting , It’s happened to my elderly mum we did wait ages for an ambulance because the system needs more help, the staff paramedics and nurses were amazing but totally overworked as mabel so rightly said blame the government. They want this or they would stop it
they want private healthcare because the American system of pay first treat after works out so much better for them.

Gosh, that's gone up since you posted on the previous deleted thread.

They are striking over patient care. Be angry with the government that has completely destroyed the service, not the workers doing their best.

£47000?! Not even close 😂

YABU.

You’re completely ignoring the fact it’s the government causing these strikes, and it’s up to them to act. Also, don’t forget this come the next General Election like they’re hoping us peasants will.

You are holding the country to ransom with completely unrealistic wage demands and then blaming someone else.

That IS gas lighting. Just stop.

You know what you are doing.

YANBU

All 999 workers must sign no-strike agreements. A starting point is all new 999 staff sign this just like the police are not allowed to strike,

I think we all agree they do deserve more money BUT for all those in agreement of the strike I’m sure you won’t be sympathetic to the strike if your family / friend doesn’t get the help they require for the ambulance service today and someone one will 😞

For those that say 'where's the money going to come from?' Like they remotely understand economics! Here's some ideas; 30 billion lost by putting Liz Truss into power, immeasurable cost of Brexit that to this day has not appeared to offer one positive outcome, the list goes on and on!

whilst actually killing patients!! Is that a joke?

‘Go ahead and murder more innocents’ what a hyperbole 😂

So in your opinion the ambulance dispatcher who has to decide which cat 1 call to send her only crew to is a murderer? Killing innocents on the daily? As that’s what’s happening every day with all the crews tied up waiting to offload in ED? Did you know what or do you just think it’s all about money? Not about getting the support they need and therefore saving lives?

We need laws to stop this ever happening again.

Are you an ambulance driver or a nurse? Entry level for a nurse is £13.84 pH so I don't understand why you're earning less?

YABU. If you’ve had the experience of contact with paramedics & techs recently (as I have with both my parents on cat 2 calls), then you’ll fully understand why they’ve voted to strike.

YABU.
I cant believe that anyone could think that they have been left with any choice other than to do this.
I support them 100%

Paramedics and ambulance drivers must have similar contracts to the army and defence. Ditto nurses and front line medical staff.

If your mum needs an ambulance on a strike day and does not get one, I can understand (though I don't agree with) blaming the strikes.
But what if she needs an ambulance any other day of the year? Would you be confident she'll get one really quickly? If not, who would you blame then?

What's happened to all the claps and banging tin lids now?! How dare all the angels and heroes who work in our saintly NHS behave like this??
The strikes are long overdue, I worry massively for those in MH crises who've hurt themselves being able to get to hospital... But support all strikers in all industries 100%.

How about indentured servitude for the most vital roles? Think how much money we'll save!

I think I said £20 to £50, my sympathies to people that don't want to pay have waned a bit now

The unions are the biggest Labour Party donors!!

Let's talk about Conservative party donors, shall we...?

Venetia would you like people to instead be forced to work for the NHS? Not allowed to quit and not allowed to strike, I believe that's slavery?

Insulting people for asking for clarification won't win hearts and minds.