April 16th 2023.
(Image Source: https://metro.co.uk) Private ambulance firms are seeing a surge in business due to the largest strike in the history of the healthcare service. Unison's research found that more than £1 million each week is being spent to cover emergency calls in two thirds of ambulance trusts in England. Over a dozen companies have been commissioned to fill the gaps and trusts are booking private emergency vehicles and crews up to twelve months in advance.
(Image Source: https://metro.co.uk) Unison's head of health Sara Gorton has criticized this solution as a 'shocking waste of money', citing a lack of long-term planning as the cause of the crisis. She also noted that patients are waiting for too long for help, some even dying before a crew can reach them, and that crews are stuck in emergency vehicles outside hospitals for hours on end.
Unison's members, including nurses and ambulance crews, accepted a pay offer from the government including a 5% increase and a one-off payment of at least £1,655. However, members of the Royal College of Nursing union rejected the same offer and will take part in a strike on April 30th and May 2nd.
Despite the current struggles, Unison’s pay offer highlights a positive change - one that must be accompanied by long-term planning to truly tackle the crisis. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at email.
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