'Lives at risk'... NHS action ramped up

AMBULANCE union leaders have been accused of putting lives at risk by refusing to help ease the impact of strike action due to start today.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps slammed the unions ahead of a walkout by tens of thousands of nurses and ambulance staff in England in what is expected to be the biggest strike in NHS history.

Nurses are due to strike again tomorrow while ambulance crews and call handlers will return to the picket lines on Friday.

Mr Shapps suggested union leaders were not helping the Army organise cover, leading to a postcode lottery when it comes to having a heart attack or a stroke”.

With no end in sight to the disputes, Mr Shapps’ claim was branded an absolute utter lie” by Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.

Mr Shapps said the Royal College of Nursing RCN) has very responsibly” told the NHS where it will be striking and enabled emergency cover to be put in place,

But he claimed ambulance unions have not provided such information.

His comments came as he sought to justify controversial anti-strike legislation making its way through Parliament.

The Strikes Minimum Service Levels) Bill seeks to ensure there are minimum working levels dur ing strike days across six sectors, including health and transport.

Mr Shapps, asked if the industrial action will put lives at risk, told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: I am concerned that it does, if you have a situation which has been happening so far where you don’t have cooperation between the back-up services typically the Army and the people who are striking.