AMBULANCE STRIKE TO PUT 'LIVES AT RISK'

'If there is a strike it will cause pain and discomfort for the people'

-  Sam Lister and Hanna Geissler

STRIKING NHS ambulance workers have been warned they will "put lives at risk" if they force the sick to make their own way to hospital.

Staff voted to walk out on December 21 in a pay row after three trade unions combined over the industrial action.

Government insiders dispute vulnerable warned the would hit patients such as older people who have fallen.

One Whitehall source said last night: "We would urge the unions to think again.

"We have tried and tested contingency plans in place but if the unions strike it will have an impact on patients. It will cause pain and discomfort for people and put lives at risk. We are saying come and talk to us. [The] door is open. The Government cannot afford to give in to unaffordable pay demands. It would mean more tax rises for everyone." Thousands of GMB, Unison and Unite members will strike at health trusts in England and Wales.

Union leaders are refusing to continue negotiations because the Government has accepted independent recommendations on pay.

The strike is a day after Royal College of Nursing members stage a second walkout over salaries.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay called the strike "disappointing" but said the priority was to ensure emergency services carry on, adding: "NHS workers do an incredible job caring for our loved ones.