West Midlands Ambulance Service staff will walk out in their hundreds today (February 17) in the latest round of industrial action as their longstanding dispute over pay continues. Unite and GMB members from the service voted to strike in the hope of bringing about increased pay and better working conditions. Picket lines are being formed by paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff outside Coventry PTS in Bodmin Road, Wyken, and by the hub in Ibstock Road. The walkout comes after a wave of similar action in December and also last month when GMB members from WMAS walked out.As with previous walkouts, the unions' West Midlands NHS representatives have agreed to ensure that emergency life and limb cover will be in place during the strike. Other derogations will ensure that patients needing life-saving treatment, such as renal care and cancer treatment, will be transported to their appointments.A WMAS spokesperson said: "Today, two of our unions are taking strike action. This means we will not have the same level of resource available to respond to 999 calls."Please make use of NHS111 on line, pharmacists and your GP. For life threatening emergencies, ring 999; for everything else dial 111."Follow our live blog below for coverage of the strikes, reaction and information on how it might affect you.
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