Mass Ambulance Strike Set to Bring NHS Chaos This Christmas
More than 10,000 ambulance workers across nine NHS trusts in England, including Oxfordshire’s South Central Ambulance Service, are gearing up for strike action on December 21 and December 28. This marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing pay and conditions dispute rocking the NHS.
GMB Kick Off Strikes Amid RCN Action
The first wave of walkouts by GMB union members hits on Thursday, December 21 — a day after the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) holds its second strike. The industrial action will include paramedics, emergency care assistants (ECAs), call handlers, and support staff, with a follow-up day of strikes planned for December 28.
GMB national secretary Rachel Harrison blasted the government: “After 12 years of Conservative cuts to the service and their pay packets, NHS staff have had enough. The last thing they want to do is go on strike, but the government has forced them to. Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Health, needs to listen and engage with us on pay.”
GMB reps will meet ambulance trusts to sort out critical “life-and-limb” emergency coverage plans for the strike days, aiming to minimise chaos where possible.
Unite and Unison Join the Fray
Over 1,600 Unite members from ambulance services in the West Midlands, North West, and North East will also join the strike. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham warned:
“Make no mistake, we are now in the fight of our lives for the NHS itself. Our members are taking a stand to save our NHS from this government. These strikes are a stark warning.”
Unison, the largest NHS union, chimed in. Sara Gorton, Unison’s health head, said:
“Ambulance workers and their medical colleagues don’t want to inconvenience anyone, but ministers are refusing to do the one thing that could prevent disruption: begin genuine pay negotiations.”
NHS Trusts Brace for Impact
NHS Providers’ interim chief exec Saffron Cordery warned trust leaders are frantically preparing for the strike fallout:
“Today’s announcement of coordinated action by the GMB, Unison, and Unite underlines the sheer urgency of the need for Government and union leaders to get around the table. If talks do not take place, there is a real risk of escalation and joint strikes across the NHS in January.”
Despite the strikes, trusts vow to keep emergency services running and try their best to minimise patient disruption.
Strike Facts You Need to Know
- When: Thursday 21 December & Thursday 28 December 2025
- Who’s Striking: GMB, Unison, Unite unions
- Where: Ambulance services across 9 NHS trusts including South Central, West Midlands, North West, North East
- Why: Pay and working conditions crisis
- Safety: Life-and-limb emergency coverage being worked out
- What’s Next: Could escalate to full NHS strikes in January
