Ambulance services had requested support during walkouts scheduled for 21 and 28 December over NHS pay.
Unions have said they will respond to life-threatening incidents, but it is unclear how "category two" calls, including suspected strokes, heart attacks and seizures, will be dealt with. Earlier this week, health secretary Steve Barclay said that lower category incidents, such as falls by elderly people, may not be responded to as "trade unions are saying those things wouldn't be covered".
The National Police Chiefs' Council said it had received a request for support but was not able to answer it because of existing demands, which already see police officers respond to a high number of mental health incidents and spend shifts handing patients over to A&E. The Independent has previously revealed how a lack of available ambulances has caused armed police to be deployed to cardiac arrests, because of their first aid training and equipment.
This story is from the December 10, 2022 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the December 10, 2022 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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