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11
Jan 2023
Ambulance workers form picket line in Harrogate today
Striking ambulance workers are operating a picket line in Harrogate today.
Members of the GMB union began their 24-hour action at Harrogate Ambulance Station, which is on Lancaster Park Road close to the hospital, at midnight.
They were joined by members of Unison at noon.
It is the second time staff at Yorkshire Ambulance Service have gone on strike in the last month, although they continue to respond to the most serious category one calls.
GMB rep and paramedic Neil Summers told the Stray Ferret the state of the NHS was the main reason for the industrial action. He said:
Todays picket line
Mr Summers said York Hospital was particularly bad but paramedics could still be waiting at Harrogate District Hospital for "up to three or four hours".
He said there needed to be greater investment in the NHS as well as social care to ease problems caused by bed-blocking.
He said pay was also a concern, as many staff had not had an increase in wages for years.
The pickets have been joined today by local campaigner Lindis Percy, a former nurse, midwife and health visitor. She said:
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said this morning the NHS is under "very severe pressure".
He added the government has announced further investment for emergency departments, as well as looking into ways of targeting how to get patients who are fit to leave into social care.
Read more:
- Ambulance workers in Harrogate district begin strike
- Picket line at Harrogate station as latest RMT strikes near end
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