Ambulance staff across the North East will stage a fresh strike today in an ongoing row over pay and staffing levels.

The third round of strike action comes less than two weeks after the last walkout on January 11.

From 7am paramedics, emergency care assistants, ambulance technicians and other 999 crew members and control room staff will join picket lines across the region to call for improved pay and staffing levels.

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Ambulance chiefs have once again urged the public to only dial 999 for an ambulance for life-threatening conditions or injuries today.

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) admitted yesterday that it will not be able to respond to all calls of a serious nature, and that significant delays can be expected.

NEAS Chief Operating Officer Stephen Segasby said: “Industrial action brings incredible challenges for our service.

“The public have really supported us with fewer 999 calls, which helped us to prioritise our resources to those most in need. But with fewer people available to respond to non-emergency incidents, we understandably want to warn and inform people once again on how best to use our service and what to expect from us during the period of action.

“We will focus our resources on those who are most in need, but there will be fewer ambulances responding during the strike and this will only be where there is an immediate risk to life.

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“This means that less serious calls will not receive a response for the duration of the strike action and some patients will be asked to make their own way to hospital, where it is safe for them to do so.

“We ask that the public continue to consider which is the best service for their needs and only call 999 in a life or limb threatening emergency.”

Workers from the Unite and Unison unions are expected to form pickets at ambulance depots across the North East, including Chester-le-Strreet, Coulby Newham and Gateshead.

It comes as one union boss called on Chancellor Jermey Hunt to “come out of hiding” and provide funding for pay deal.

Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea said: “The solution to the growing NHS crisis is staring the Government in the face. It’s simple, all the Chancellor needs to do is find the money to pay health workers fairly.

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“The public wants the Government to end the dispute, so do NHS staff, but most ministers look like they’d rather dig in and do nothing instead of boost pay and help turn the ailing NHS around.

“Higher wages would stop experienced employees leaving for better paid jobs and encourage more people to come and work in the NHS.

“With more staff, ambulance response times would improve, and patient waits for treatment shorten. Everyone would be a winner.

“Jeremy Hunt knows improved wages are critical to solving the NHS staffing emergency. He must come out of hiding and unlock the funding to end the strikes. Then the focus can be on nursing the NHS back to good health.”

More strike dates were announced last week, with workers at the GMB union voting to walkout on four days in February and March.

The industrial action will take place on February 6, February 20, March 6 and March 20.

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