Pregnant women in the Penrith area expecting babies this week are being warned of the impact of strike action.
Local home birth services have been “paused” and deliveries booked in at Penrith Birthing Centre at the Bridge Lane hospital have been put on hold from today.
The service remains on hold until Friday, January 13, trust bosses said.
“Pregnant women are advised to ensure transport arrangements are in place if they are likely to go into labour around this time,” officials said.
It comes ahead of industrial action on Wednesday which includes staff from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), who will join GMB and Unison members.
North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) has warned that the strikes will cause disruption to the 999 service, and 111 non-emergency line as well as the patient transport service.
Some planned operations are also being paused on January 10, 11 and 12, although urgent operations for cancers are being prioritised, it said.
The NCIC has said it has a plan in place “to minimise risk” to patients during the strike with space being made available in the emergency departments at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary and Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital at all times.
On-site consultants will provide support at the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital in the trust’s specialities, such as: cardiology, respiratory, renal, orthopaedics, minor surgery, general surgery, anaesthesia and intensive care.
NCIC has sourced a private ambulance and crew due to NWAS’ limited availability. The private ambulance will be available to intensive care clinicians for emergency transfers. Private patient transport service ambulances will also be available for other urgent needs.
