Responding to confirmed strike action dates by the GMB, Unite and Unison, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"Trust leaders continue to plan and prepare for strike action, but today's announcement of co-ordinated action by the GMB, Unison and Unite underlines the sheer urgency of the need for government and union leaders to get around the table to find a solution to avert these strikes.

"The potential to escalate action and for prolonged, joint strikes by health unions in January if talks don't take place is very worrying.

"As with the upcoming industrial action by the Royal College of Nursing, trusts affected will do everything they can to minimise disruption for patients on Wednesday 21^st and Wednesday 28^th December.

"Their priority, as always, remains the safe delivery of care and services for patients during any industrial action and to support the wellbeing of their staff.

"But the challenges strike action presents for the health service at a time when it is under serious strain across every part of the system is undeniable. This will inevitably have an impact on some patients.

"Leaders across the NHS of course understand how strongly ambulance staff, including 999 call handlers, ambulance technicians, paramedics and their colleagues working for ambulance services feel and why they've got to this point: below-inflation pay awards amid the rising cost of living, severe staff shortages, rising operational pressures and ever-increasing workloads have all taken their toll.

"There must be no delay in getting down to serious, meaningful negotiations to end this dispute before it escalates still further."