Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to ensure the running of an effective ambulance service in the event of any industrial action by ambulance workers.

NHS England is leading national planning to ensure that employers and trade unions discuss local derogations to identify which services are exempt from strike action to protect patient safety.

NHS England is also providing targeted support to some hospitals facing delays with ambulance handovers through a winter improvement collaborative programme to share best practice. The National Health Service is increasing capacity by the equivalent of at least 7,000 general and acute beds and £500 million has been allocated for the Adult Social Care Discharge Fund to improve patient flow through hospitals and reduce waiting times in transferring ambulance patients to accident and emergency departments.