THE head of the ambulance service in Wales has appealed for the unions and the Government to re-start talks and end strike action.

Jason Killens, chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, told GB News: “We’ve got members from the Unite union taking 72 hours worth of action today, tomorrow and into Wednesday, and then in addition we’ve got members of our staff from GMB union taking action today.

“What that means is we’ve seen overnight and through the day today that about 50% of our workforce is unavailable to us because they’re taking strike action.

“With the exemptions we’ve got from that action, we’re continuing to respond immediately to life-threatened patients, those which are unconscious, those who are continuously fitting, in cardiac arrest and so on

“The Welsh Government did come forward with a revised pay offer a week or so ago. Sadly, that’s been rejected by all of the trade unions and so of course I continue to encourage the Government and the unions to remain in dialogue to find a compromise and bring the dispute to a swift resolution.”

He added: “I certainly think there is room for optimism and talking to staff this morning, they’re clear with me about some of the additional things that they think could bring a resolution to the dispute.

“It’s not with us as the employer, it’s the Government and I would continue to encourage the Government and the unions to talk about these issues and seek to find a compromise to bring the dispute to a resolution.”

In a discussion with Mark Longhurst during GB News live he said: “We’re under significant pressure at the moment and today is probably going to be the most pressured for us, with two unions taking strike action this week.

“If there is any doubt, we will continually assess those 999 calls and we are continuing to respond to those seriously-ill and injured patients.

“Other less serious patients will receive advice over the phone and they may be asked to make their own way to the emergency department.

“Some of those less serious patients will wait longer for response.”