AMBULANCE staff and NHS workers in Bradford are set to join a national strike in the new year.

Members of the GMB union in the ambulance service are considering a 48-hour walkout starting at noon on January 29 and finishing at noon at January 31.

The joint health unions have also announced a 12-hour strike action for January 29, between 9am and 9pm, by NHS staff. This will be followed in February by a 24-hour stoppage on February 24.

Rehana Azam, GMB NHS national officer, said: “The new year will bring a regrettable escalation of the strike action in the NHS in this pay dispute.”

Christina McAnea, chairman of the joint NHS Trade Unions, said: “The Government and NHS employers are showing a total disregard for patient safety by refusing to enter into any meaningful negotiations.”