THE East of England Ambulance Service, which is responsible for providing emergency service cover in Thurrock, will be among the least affected by today's (Wednesday, 21 December) strike by ambulance workers. 

The national strike has been co-ordinated by the Unite, Unison and GMB unions but membership across the eastern region is relatively low and staff are not taking industrial action.

Some staff in the neighbouring London Ambulance Service are striking which may impact areas in the west of the region where transportation services and medical facilities overlap.

However, the local service remains in crisis caused by pressure of demand on its services. 

Yesterday the East of England service was among eight across the country that declared it was in the middle of a 'critical incident'.

A critical incident allows services to prioritise certain patients and cancel non-urgent demands on staff such as training. It can happen because of a very high number of calls, for example.

That was less severe than the 'major incident standby' declared earlier this year and was caused, said the service, due to pressure from 999 call volumes and hospital handover delays. 

People were advised to only call 999 in life-threatening situations.

The action comes as a result of an increased demand in calls to 999. It is also partly down to delays in handover of patients between ambulance and hospital workers.

That was exemplified at Basildon and Thurrock Hospital where ambulances were doubled parked outside the accident and emergency department with patients remaining in ambulances for hours.

An ambulance service statement said: "Our staff continue to work incredibly hard in challenging circumstances, to respond to calls and incidents as quickly as possible. 

"If you need to contact us because of a life-threatening condition or serious injury, then call 999. For everything else, we would urge you to please use 111 online, speak to your GP or use a minor injuries centre."