NHS England issued public guidance on 20 February 2023 about industrial action by ambulance workers, telling people to continue seeking care during the disruption. The guidance was published by the NHS body responsible for health services in England and attributed to its Medical Director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis1.
The statement set out where people should go for help. It said it was vital that people do not put off seeking care, that they should dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency, and that they should come forward for treatment using 111 online for non-life threatening care, as well as local pharmacies or General Practice1. It also addressed planned appointments, stating that anyone with an appointment should continue to attend as planned unless they have been contacted to rearrange1.
Professor Powis said disruption was expected, based on previous industrial action:
"As we have seen with previous industrial action, disruption is inevitable, however, it is vital that people do not put off seeking care and dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency and come forward for treatment using 111 online for non-life threatening care, as well as local pharmacies or General Practice. Anyone with an appointment should continue to attend as planned unless they have been contacted to rearrange."
The guidance did not state which ambulance services or regions were affected, how many staff were taking part, or how long the action was due to last. Those details have not been reported in the published guidance1.
Why it matters for households
The guidance applies to households in England who need urgent or emergency care on a day of ambulance worker industrial action. The practical effect set out by NHS England is that people should not delay seeking help: 999 remains the route for life-threatening emergencies, and 111 online, local pharmacies and General Practice are named for non-life threatening care1. People with existing appointments are told to attend as planned unless they have been contacted to rearrange1. The NHS Medical Director stated that disruption is inevitable during such action, while stressing that people should still come forward for treatment1. Further detail on preparing for health emergencies is set out in the site's health-emergencies hub.
What happens next
No further dates or steps were given in the published guidance beyond the day of publication, 20 February 20231.
