Welsh ambulance staff are set to strike from midnight tonight over a 72 hour period with high levels of disruption predicted across services. 

Trade unions representing NHS staff are in dispute with the Government over pay and working conditions

It has been confirmed that UNITE will take action for three consecutive days, starting at 00:01 tonight, February 20 concluding at 23:59 on February 22.

The GMB union will also be taking strike action on February 20 from 6:00 until 6:00 on February 21(24 hours) after they rejected a new pay offer from the Welsh Government. 

READ MORE: Teachers prepare to strike again as NEU Cymru say pay offer falls short of needs

Nathan Holman, GMB Welsh NHS lead, said:   “This is a clear result and members have had their say on the offer. 

“We thank Welsh Government for actually entering talks, but if this is their final offer it’s too low for our members. 

“Now more than ever, we need a UK wide solution to the scourge of low pay that has affected our NHS and ambulance services. 

“The only person who can take responsibility for that is Steve Barclay and it’s time for him to step up and talk pay now.  

“Ambulance workers across England and Wales are waiting.” 

Welsh Ambulance service have predicted there will be "a high level of disruption across our service."

The Welsh ambulance service,  have, worked with UNITE colleagues to agree “derogations”, which have been confirmed by the respective Trade Unions.

This refers to the services that will continue to be maintained, albeit at a reduced level, on strike days. However, this is a complex process and services will be significantly affected.

The Welsh ambulance service have advised those who need urgent care, to contact your own GP during normal opening hours.

If you’re not sure what’s wrong or are unsure what to do next, go to NHS 111 Wales online, which has lots of healthcare advice and a range of symptom checkers that can help you work out what to do next.

During the industrial action, the 111 telephone service is also likely to be affected as many of the clinicians and call handlers may be members of striking unions.

When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999 or attending A&E.

During any strike action, emergency care is still a priority and emergency services will still be available.

However, it is likely that only life threatening illnesses or injuries will receive an emergency response. Other patients are likely to be asked to make their own way to hospital or referred to alternative pathways of care.

The Leader spoke to members of the GMB union during a national ambulance worker strike on December 21, outside the Maelor hospital. 

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."

Ross Litchfield-Brisoe a paramedic 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.