AMBULANCE crews are poised to go on strike after a ballot found 93 per cent in favour of industrial action.

The return follows a long-running dispute between members of the Great Western Ambulance Service branch of Unison and GWAS management over changes in shift patterns and working hours.

Unison said it had met with bosses on only one occasion and was left with little choice but to ballot members.

Gloucestershire branch officer Shane Clark said: "GWAS managers have been saying that these changes are a good thing for patients but how can that be when ambulance crews have been raising the alarm over unsafe working practices?

"We want our patients to get the best possible care from ambulance crews.

"It is not acceptable for crews to be forced to report for duty without adequate rest before shifts, nor for crews to be driving on blue lights for long shifts without rest breaks. The employers must listen to our members' concerns."

No dates have been set yet for any possible action by Unison.

GWAS chief executive David Whiting said he was ‘disappointed’ with the ballot results.

"The changes we are making are about saving more lives," he said. "To do that, we need to ensure we have the trained staff and vehicles available when and where our patients need us.

"We are taking on additional frontline staff and looking to make our existing staff more effective by increasing their availability at the busiest times – particularly evenings and weekends."

He added: "This is not about job cuts and it is not about cutting salaries. The changes to shift start and finish times were made so that we can keep as many staff on the road at any one time.

"These changes are based on evidence and all information has been shared with staff and unions. We have spent the last six months consulting with staff and meeting with union representatives on a regular basis."

He said the trust had plans to deal with a potential strike.

"It is crucial that we are available when patients call us," said Mr Whiting.

"To that effect we have robust contingency plans in place to make sure that our public continues to get excellent care and that vital 999 services are not disrupted by Unison industrial action."

Jan Stubbings, chief executive of NHS Gloucestershire, backed the consultation process carried out by GWAS.

"We believe that GWAS has consulted in the right way with staff and community partners and remain committed to working constructively with trade union representatives with support from ACAS to try and resolve outstanding concerns," she said.

"We are monitoring the position and will work with GWAS to ensure that contingency plans are in place should Unison give formal notice of industrial action."