Ambulance workers stage demo over increasing pressures as call-outs surge
Ambulance calls in England have increased by around six million in the past decade, according to new research.
NEW 🚨🚑: GMB analysis shows ambulance callouts have almost doubled to 14 million a year since 2010 #GMB22
— GMB Union (@GMB_union) June 12, 2022
Pressure rising
The GMB union said there were 7.9 million call-outs in the 2009/10 financial year, rising to 14 million in 2021/22. Ambulance workers are staging a demonstration on 12 June outside the GMB’s annual congress in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, to highlight the pressures they’re facing. The union said more than 1,000 ambulance workers have left their jobs since 2018 to seek a better work-life balance, more pay, or to take early retirement.
GMB national officer Rachel Harrison, said:
Read on...
Ambulance workers have faced more than a decade of cuts while demand has almost doubled. It’s no wonder they are leaving in droves while the service itself is teetering on the brink of collapse.
The explosion in demand is due to savage cuts to essential services since 2010. GMB members tell us the pressures they face are the worst they have ever experienced. Our members face unbelievable stress and even abuse while they do their best to administer care and save lives. We need urgent investment across the health and care services, otherwise we risk an unprecedented crisis.
GMB general secretary Gary Smith shared the following update on Twitter:
Millions of working people have had enough.
The message from our members on the front line of the ambulance services and NHS is clear. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/lr8N3ApuAx
— Gary Smith (@GMBGarySmith) June 12, 2022
We know everyone is suffering under the Tories - but the Canary is a vital weapon in our fight back, and we need your support
The Canary Workers’ Co-op knows life is hard. The Tories are waging a class war against us we’re all having to fight. But like trade unions and community organising, truly independent working-class media is a vital weapon in our armoury.
The Canary doesn’t have the budget of the corporate media. In fact, our income is over 1,000 times less than the Guardian’s. What we do have is a radical agenda that disrupts power and amplifies marginalised communities. But we can only do this with our readers’ support.
So please, help us continue to spread messages of resistance and hope. Even the smallest donation would mean the world to us.
-
Show Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to leave a comment.Join the conversationPlease read our comment moderation policy here.
