Ministers and unions have disaccorded over who would be to condemn for preventable deaths during ambulance strikes.
Unite master Sharon Graham indicted Health Secretary Steve Barclay of telling” a blatant taradiddle ” when he said ambulance unions had” taken a conscious choice to induce detriment on cases”.
Mr Barclay criticized unions for striking when the NHS was under significant pressure.
But the unions said he was at fault for refusing to negotiate on pay.
Paramedics, control room staff and support workers, who are members of the Unison, GMB and Unite unions, are striking through much of England and Wales on Wednesday.
Unions representing ambulance workers want pay increases to keep up with the rising cost of living. They’ve not set a specific figure but argue any offer needs to be high enough to help a reclamation extremity.
still, ministers say they won’t negotiate on pay as they’ve met independent pay recommendations.
hugely shocked’
NHS heads are advising patient safety can not be guaranteed during the strike action, although unions say life- hanging callouts will still be responded to by an ambulance.
They also argue cases are formerly being put at threat due to staying times, made worse by staff dearths.
In an composition for the Daily Telegraph, Mr Barclay indicted ambulance unions of choosing to detriment cases and making contingency planning more delicate.
He said unions had refused to work with the government at a public position on how they would cover exigency calls during strike action.
Unison said it was” hugely shocked” by the commentary, while the GMB union said they were” affronting”.
Mr Barclay latterly told BBC Breakfast ambulance unions had chosen to strike at a time” when the system is formerly facing veritably significant pressure” from increased flu and Covid admissions.
Asked who would be responsible for any preventable deaths during the artificial action, he said” It’s the trade unions who are taking this action at a point of maximum pressure for the NHS.”
