An NHS 111 call handler shares her thoughts about why despite loving her job, she has decided to join the strike on December 21 and 28. Thousands of paramedics, call handlers, emergency care assistants, trust members, and other health staff will join the action in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

Sharron, 47, is based in Manchester and is a single mum with three kids. In the video, she said: "I don't want to strike, I want to do the job that I love. We have to strike, enough is enough. We just want fair pay for the job that we do".

According to the call handler, the working conditions are ok but they work very hard.

"Every minute of your shift is timetabled, you have 25 seconds between calls which isn’t really enough. Staff retention is low because the money isn’t that great and it takes a certain kind of person to deal with what we do".

Sharron also said that the psychological impact her job has isn't taken into account. "Our calls can range from sore throats to people actively committing suicide and you have to switch in 25 seconds, from five minutes to five hours. We aren’t appreciated for our skill set and many people think 'you just answer the phone!'".

When asked to comment on those who oppose the strikes, Sharron said: "Come try my job. My job is to help and it breaks my heart to strike but we deserve a fair pay for the job we do. I have had two days holiday in six months and I’m exhausted"

She also added: "We don’t want people in danger it goes against every fibre of our being, but when will people look out for us? When will people realise that the emergency services are expected to just carry on? When will they realise enough is enough and that we need to take a stand?".

Despite her complaints, the call handler said: "My future will always be in the NHS".

I’m based in Manchester , I’m a call handler at NHS 111 which is part of North West Ambulance Service. I’m 47 years old and a single mum with 3 kids.

My working conditions are ok but we work hard, every minute of your shift is timetabled, you have 25 seconds between calls which isn’t really enough. The mental health provision is good but that’s because we are a good team. We know how hard the job is and support each other,

Psychological impact isn’t taken into account we deal daily with frustrations of people unable to see gps, with dementia patients and people in mental health crisis. Our calls can range from sore throats to people actively committing suicide and you have to switch in 25 seconds, from 5 minutes to 5 hrs, staff retention is low because the money isn’t that great and it takes a certain kind of person to deal with what we do. We aren’t appreciated for our skills set and many people think “ you just answer the phone”!!

To those who oppose the strikes I would say, come try my job. My job is to help and it breaks my heart to strike but we deserve a fair pay for the job we do. I have had 2 days holiday in 6 months and I’m exhausted. However I will still go do my job because it’s who I am it’s what I love. We don’t want people in danger it goes against every fibre of our being but when will people look out for us? When will people realise that the emergency services are expected to just carry on? When will they realise enough is enough and that we need to take a stand? When will people care for us as we care for them? We must strike and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Fire Brigade and those working in hospitals.