Ambulance workers in the GMB union formed a picket line at Wrexham Maelor Hospital today, Wednesday, December 21.

Wrexham staff joined thousands of GMB, Unite and Unison union members at picket lines across England and Wales.

This is the second day of industrial action by NHS workers following the second day of the Royal College of Nursing strike which took place yesterday, December 20. 

READ MORE: 'Understaffed, undervalued, underpaid' - nurses at Wrexham Maelor Hospital on strike

Welsh Ambulance Service Teams are expected to walk out again on December 28.

Andrew Harris, Picket Line Supervisor at the Wrexham said: "It's not just about pay and working conditions.

"We know that people are having to spend extending amount of time in the ambulances, so it's about getting better conditions not just for us but for the public as well."

The Leader, recently reported a woman who waited 14 hours for an ambulance to arrive and then a further 14 hours in the ambulance outside the Maelor Hospital. 

Staff on strike today say this is sadly not an unusual circumstance, and it means that ambulance workers are not able to do their actual job. 

Ross Litchfield-Brisoe has been a qualified paramedic for around 18 months and has experienced entire 12 hour shifts just waiting outside A and E in the ambulance with a patient. 

He said: "It is soul-destroying, heart wrenching and beyond frustrating."

Ross and his colleagues shared that often on arrival they will greet the families and patients with an apology before even introducing themselves. 

Stewart Ledsham, a Wrexham paramedic said: "We walk in and say 'I am so, so sorry about your wait' and what can we say to someone that has been waiting on the floor or in an ambulance for hours, it's unethical."

READ MORE: All you need to know as Ambulance Service strikes get underway today

Picket supervisor, Mr Harris believes the increase in winter flu, shortage of beds, hospital infrastructure and a growing city have contributed to the issue. 

Mr Harris added: "It's taken a toll on the staff, we're exhausted, our own mental health has been suffering. Moral is at an all time low at the moment."

Members of the public shared their support for the industrial action by beeping car horns as they drove past and several people dropped off chocolates, coffees and even pizzas. 

Ambulance workers continuously left and rejoined the picket as they remained dedicated to respond to emergencies throughout the striking days.