Evening Standard/London

Ambulance chiefs yesterday warned Londoners that a NHS pay strike tomorrow will be “much more disruptive” than before - with thousands of people not getting emergency help.
Car crash victims, people with broken bones, pregnant women in labour and pensioners who have fallen and cannot get up will not get a response if their condition is not life-threatening.
This goes well beyond restrictions introduced during previous walkouts as the latest dispute is scheduled to last for 24 hours - six times longer than before.
The action, due to start at midnight today, will place the London Ambulance Service (LAS) under unprecedented pressure, with soldiers and police driving ambulances and nurses and doctors volunteering as stand-in paramedics. Its effects are expected to continue well into Friday.
LAS chief executive Dr Fionna Moore said: “We will be unable to send an ambulance response to some patients with broken bones, some older people who may have fallen and cannot get up and some people in road traffic collisions where their life is not immediately at risk.
“We’d encourage Londoners to plan ahead, be sensible about their activities and be prepared should they need medical help on Thursday.”
The action is in response to health secretary Jeremy Hunt’s refusal to implement the findings of an independent pay review panel for a 1% rise for all NHS staff.
GMB members will be on strike for 24 hours, with Unison and Unite members protesting for 12 hours, starting at midday tomorrow.
The LAS advised friends and family of vulnerable people to be ready to take them to hospital or use other options such as Urgent Care Centres, pharmacies, their GP and NHS 111.
People have been told not to wait to get help if they are feeling unwell before Thursday, do, but to seek advice from GP or pharmacist beforehand.
People with a long-term or chronic condition have been advised not to be alone on the day.
People on regular medication have been told to collect prescriptions.
Moore said: “Those looking after vulnerable groups - such as older people, children and people with long-term conditions - should be prepared to make alternative arrangements to get medical help or transport those in their care to hospital.”
Talks aimed at averting the strike by health workers are “ongoing”, officials said.
A two-day strike that threatened to cause misery for Docklands Light Railway passengers has been suspended.
Talks between union bosses and operators Keolis/Amey have secured an agreement, the Rail and Maritime Transport union said.
Members had been due to walk out from 4am today in a dispute over outsourcing and new human resources policies.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT is delighted to be able to announce that the determination and solidarity of our members across Docklands Light Railway has forced the pace in head-to-head talks with the operators, Keolis/Amey, and as a result we have secured agreement on all of the issues the union had put into dispute.
“That means that the union has been able to suspend the strike action, action that would have led to a total shutdown of the Docklands Light Railway from tomorrow morning.
“RMT members voted overwhelmingly for strike action and have proved that unity and organisation in the workplace can deliver positive outcomes that protect staff and their working conditions.”
Keolis/Amey Docklands said the agreement followed a number of “productive” meetings
Managing Director Kevin Thomas said: “We are pleased to have reached agreement with the RMT to avoid this strike action.
“During the dispute all parties have worked tirelessly to address employees’ concerns and business needs to prevent unnecessary disruption for our passengers.
“We will continue to work the union to ensure we provide our passengers with the best possible travel experience, as well as continuing our preparations to deliver even further improvements in this new franchise.”
State-owned French company Keolis and Amey took over running the DLR last month after Serco lost the contract.





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