AMBULANCE service workers in Wyre Forest and across the UK are considering a 48-hour continuous strike in the New Year as part of the pay dispute in the NHS.

NHS ambulance staff who are part of the trade union GMB, plan to strike for two days from noon on January 29 until noon on January 31.

GMB said it will issue the necessary formal notices to NHS employers in the coming weeks.

The union carried out an official ballot of its NHS members and there was “overwhelming support” for industrial action against Government and employers’ pay policies.

Rehana Azam, NHS national officer at GMB, said: “It is regrettable that GMB has no alternative but to escalate the strike action in the NHS.

“This dispute is escalating. The consequences could mean a third wave of strikes across the NHS and we will be consulting members on a two day strike on 29th and 30th January in the ambulance service.“ GMB NHS members took part in four-hour strike action on October 13 and November 24 which were followed by action short of a strike with an overtime ban in the ambulance service and other NHS employees working to their contracted hours.

Steve Rice, GMB ambulance chairman, said: “I have worked for the ambulance service for almost four decades.

“Never have I experienced staff morale at such a breaking point and that is why the GMB is calling an urgent ambulance meeting to discuss the details of a potential two day stoppage across the ambulance service.

“Escalation is always a last resort but in the absence of any real talks from Government or employers we have nowhere else to go.

“Our A&E's are in a crisis and we have taken the responsible position by not striking over Christmas. This goodwill will not continue in the New Year."