The Emergency Medical Rescue Service in Dundee and elsewhere is today non-operational.  Following complaints from readers that ambulances were not responding to calls, the Courier called 10177 shortly before 8am.

While the telephone was answered promptly, the operator admitted that no ambulances would be sent out – even if a child is sick or in an accident.

“We have paramedics here but they are scared to go out as there is a strike going on.  This is the second week,” she said.  When asked what should be done in an emergency, she said ‘the public must help us by taking any sick or injured persons directly to hospital or contact a private ambulance service.”

When asked why paramedics were striking she said, the issue was not ‘crystal clear’ but had to do with working hours and other issues.