THE North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has announced changes to its services during tomorrow's strike action.
NHS workers across the region are taking part in industrial action over a dispute over pay and working conditions for frontline workers.
Ambulance staff who are members of the GMB and UNISON unions are taking part in strike action on Wednesday, January 11, and UNISON workers are striking again on Monday, January 23.
Our Patient Transport Service will be affected by strike action tomorrow. The service will only be available for patients attending cancer, renal and palliative care appointments. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/wPFthWrE5I
— North West Ambulance Service (@NWAmbulance) January 10, 2023
The NHS will continue operating as normally as possible during the period of industrial action, though the NWAS has announced which of its services will be adversely impacted.
One of the services the NWAS has admitted will be impacted is its Patient Transport Service.
This service is designed to support patients who cannot get to and from healthcare appointments easily.
According to the NHS: "You may be eligible for PTS if you have a medical condition which could stop you getting to your appointment by any other means."
The NWAS is reducing the Patient Transport Service that is offered on the day of the strikes, offering it only to those patients travelling to appointments for cancer, renal and palliative care.
When announcing the change to its service, the NWAS added: "Please be assured that providers will be in touch to inform you if your appointment is being cancelled or to advise if you need to seek alternative transport."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here