HUNDREDS of workers at the ambulance service covering Oxfordshire went on strike yesterday in a dispute with the Government over pay and conditions.

South Central Ambulance Service announced that its services were going to be affected by industrial action as paramedics, ambulance technicians and call handlers went on strike.

GMB was the only union confirming strike action within SCAS, with 200 members of the union walking out. Another strike has also been planned for December 28.

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A spokesperson for the service said: “We fully respect the right of NHS staff to take lawful and peaceful industrial action. Like the rest of the NHS, we want to see a resolution as soon as possible, but pay is a matter for the Government and the trade unions.

“Our 999 and 111 services are very busy at the moment and the planned industrial action will add to that. We have worked closely with union representatives so patients most in need will still get a response.

“During industrial action please only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency, when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate.

“For all other health care needs support will be available through NHS111 online or at your local GP or pharmacy.

“We do not expect this strike action to have a significant impact on staffing in our control centres. However, GMB has agreed that 75 per cent of their members, who are due on shift, will continue to work to support essential services within control centres.”

The service said that during the strikes all category 1 and 2 calls, the most serious, would be responded to and higher risk category 3 calls will also be dealt with, and that its specialist response teams would work as normal.

READ MORE: South Central Ambulance Service declares critical incident

It comes after the service declared a critical incident on Monday ahead of the strikes.

Eight ambulance trusts are currently on their highest level of alert and have declared critical incidents, which means they cannot provide usual critical services and patients may be harmed.

Mark Ainsworth, Director of Operations at SCAS, said: “We will all continue to work as hard as we can to deliver the best possible service in these difficult circumstances and we greatly appreciate the support and patience being shown by patients, families and the wider public."

Health Secretary Steve Barclay held concerns over whether all emergency calls would be covered, but unions said there would be “no strikes at all if ministers would only talk to unions and improve NHS pay”.

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi