Responding to news that thousands of ambulance workers belonging to the GMB trade union have voted to strike, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

"Trust leaders have been preparing for strikes, including the possibility of industrial action by different groups of NHS staff, and trusts affected will do everything in their power to keep disruption to a minimum.

"But with strikes by nurses and ambulance workers looming trusts are rightly worried about the potential for coordinated and prolonged industrial action in the coming months.

"We understand why staff are voting for industrial action but it's vital that the government and unions talk urgently to find a way to prevent strikes which nobody wants to see.

"Trust leaders remain committed to ensuring the safe delivery of care and supporting the wellbeing of staff throughout any industrial action."