Monday 13th October 2014, marks the start of industrial action by NWAS and other Ambulance Services nationwide.

Our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE on Tuesday and Wednesday this week was requested to consult with NWAS (Greater Manchester) and did so on behalf of our Team, and our colleagues at Rossendale and Pendle MRT and Oldham MRT, regards the likely impacts of such action within Greater Manchester and how this relates to mountain rescue team operations in Greater Manchester.

This afternoon our Garry was invited to take part in a multi agency teleconference, Chaired by Peter Mulcahy, NWAS Head of Service for Cumbria and Lancashire, which was convened to provide an NWAS position statement and answer any questions with regards to the industrial action that will take place within the NWAS (Cumbria and Lancashire area)

The Teleconference (the first such that our Team Leader has taken part in – within mountain rescue) commenced at 16.00hrs and completed at 16.45hrs.

Participants in this teleconference included ourselves, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Cumbria Constabulary, Lancashire Constabulary, British Transport Police, NWAS Cumbria and Lancashire, NHS, Local Authorities and Local Authority Contingency Planning Units, Public Health bodies, British Red Cross, County Council Emergency Planners, Health Care Trusts, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and other agencies.

The teleconference focused on how the provision of Paramedic Emergency Services and the Patient Transport Service will function during this period of industrial action.