Ambulance strike planned for Monday

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has been informed by trade unions that some members will be taking part in industrial action from 7am.

The industrial action is on national issues relating to pay and is not specifically related to SECAmb.

A South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) spokesperson said: “We have been and continue to be in close discussions with representatives from our trade unions about the action and are committed to ensuring that during the industrial action the impact on patients is kept to a minimum.

“We would like to reassure the public that, as with any emergency situation, we have robust contingency plans in place to ensure that we continue to provide a safe and responsive service to those people who need us.

“We have agreed plans with our unions to protect patients requiring emergency assistance. These include staff choosing to take part in the industrial action to continuing to provide ‘life and limb’ cover and, in the event of a major incident being declared, all members on picket lines returning to full duties immediately.

“As ever, but in particular during this period of industrial action, we would like to remind the public and ask for their support in remembering that 999 should be reserved for serious emergencies.”