Striking paramedics left a picket line in Dudley to save the life of a man who was having a diabetic fit, it has emerged.
The ambulance workers, protesting over pay along with thousands of other NHS workers, rushed to the victim’s aid during the four-hour walk out and took the casualty to Russells Hall Hospital.
Their move to break the picket line was part of an agreement with West Midlands Ambulance Service to attend certain emergency calls.
READ MORE: {}
Murray MacGregor, spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance service, praised their actions.
He said: “The crew came off and went to the call. They were very responsible in that they did everything we hoped they would do. They worked exactly to the agreement.”
During the four hour strike there were 587 calls taken by the organisation - up 19 per cent on the previous Monday.
“There were a wide variety of things people were calling about and that included non-life-threatening incidents. However, we have no way of stopping people from ringing 999.
“We had hoped people would call 111 instead,’’ he said.
Most Read
“However, overall it went as well as it could. It was a very difficult for staff. We have a lot of sympathy for what they are taking action for. It is difficult for everyone.”
During the strike, the organisation revealed how they had been overrun with calls during a series of Tweets.
It said: “We are now stacking over 40 calls with no-one to send to them.
“Absolutely vital that people only dial 999 if absolutely essential.
“We have life threatening calls with no-one to send to. Don’t dial 999 unless it’s heart attack, stroke, serious trauma etc.”
Paramedics, nurses and midwives manned picket lines stationed across Birmingham to protest at the Government’s refusal to grant them a one per cent pay rise.
Picket lines were also manned at City, Heartlands, Queen Elizabeth, Birmingham Women’s and Birmingham Children’s hospitals.
Don’t miss
The strike is part of a month-long work to rule, starting at midnight.
Ambulance staff will also implement an overtime ban until next Sunday, October 19