Patients' operations cancelled as 36,000 NHS staff go on strike

Patients were left without medical help today as almost half the capital's ambulance workers went on strike.

Of those paramedics who did turn up to work, the majority were only responding to the most urgent calls.

Their action came as hundreds of operations were cancelled, with many hospitals forced to run a "Christmas Day service" after an estimated 36,000 NHS workers joined the walkout.

Most of the hospitals activated emergency plans, including hiring agency staff, rescheduling non-urgent surgery and postponing outpatient appointments to cope with staff shortages.

Across Britain about 60,000 operations, out-patient appointments, tests and follow-up appointments were believed to have been cancelled.

London Ambulance Service said it was under "severe pressure" after only 58 per cent of paramedics and technicians turned up for work - many only responding to life-threatening calls. It revealed that "significant" numbers of patients were waiting to be seen by paramedics and warned the public not to dial 999 unless it was a "genuine emergency", as a quarter of its call centre staff joined picket lines. About 150 emergency vehicles - including ambulances as well as cars and bikes carrying paramedics - were operating, compared with 260 on a normal day.

Deputy director of operations Jason Killens said: "Today's action is putting us under considerable pressure and we urge all Londoners to use us wisely and only dial 999 for an ambulance if they think it is a genuine emergency.

"We are prioritising our response so our most seriously ill patients get help quickly. But some people not in a life-threatening condition, are having to wait longer than normal." Dozens of hospital staff, including nurses, joined strikes across the city.

Radiographer Duncan Mackay, 55, who was on the St Thomas' Hospital picket line, said: "All emergency cases are going ahead in my department but the bulk of walk-in clinics and the elective procedures were cancelled." Major hospital trusts - including the Royal Free, Great Ormond Street, King's College Hospital and Imperial, which runs St Mary's, Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals - confirmed operations, procedures or appointments had been cancelled.

Unison, which has 25,000 members striking, said: "We know many hospitals are having to run a Christmas Day service because many staff have chosen to join the action. Emergencies will still be covered by staff, however."

A spokeswoman for Guy's and St Thomas' said it was operating near normally across the majority of services.

She said: "With regard to radiography, a number of planned operations and outpatient appointments were identified and rescheduled in advance due to an anticipated reduction in planned procedures. All emergency and urgent radiography cases are unaffected. "

One couple told how the strike set back their struggle to have a baby. Jennifer and Paul Callender, of Romford, have been trying for more than three years to have a child and began fertility treatment after five miscarriages.

That treatment had been put on hold for a series of important blood tests. The latest were scheduled for today at St Mary's Hospital but were cancelled because of the strike.

"All we got was a phone call to say there won't be staff in the blood department to process our tests on this day," said Mrs Callender, 28, who also has a son aged seven.

"Every day that passes is very hard. It could affect our results, as we were told the blood tests we've undergone had to be six weeks apart. Now it won't be that. It will be longer, so we may have to repeat the tests."

But expectant mother Karina Ballard, 29, told of her relief that her hospital had not cancelled her two potentially life-saving check-ups today.

Ms Ballard, who is 24 weeks pregnant with a boy, will be informed of the progress of abnormal cervical cells, which could turn cancerous if left.

"Two years ago I had abnormal cells which had to be lasered out," she said. "I had another smear which showed some were back and the doctors need to see if it's safe to continue my pregnancy. The cells can turn cancerous if left so this had to be done today."

A spokesman for NHS London said their figures showed 11,500 had joined the walkout today.

About 200 front-line police officers from London boroughs were sent in to handle 999 calls after 127 civilian staff at the Scotland Yard's emergency call centres walked out.

The Met said the replacements resulted in no impact on the handling of emergency calls, with 98 per cent answered within 10 seconds.

A total of 590 Met employees took action, including 78 security staff.