Concerns raised over reorganisation of ambulance services (From The Northern Echo)

MPs and Unison express concern at North-East Ambulance Service proposals

8:40am Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Barry Nelson, Health Editor

TWO MPs and a trade union official have voiced concerns about proposals for a major reorganisation of ambulances services.

The North-East Ambulance Service (NEAS) wants to shake up services so there is a better match between demand and resources.

The trust believes the changes will lead to improved ambulance services for the public.

But two North-East MPs – Helen Goodman, from Bishop Auckland, and Ian Swales, from Redcar – said they were worried about the impact of the proposals on their constituents.

And Trevor Johnston, Unison’s lead officer for health in the North-East, questioned whether the proposals were workable and warned that it could actually lead to a reduction in the number of highly-skilled ambulance staff.

The NEAS wants to create a new intermediate tier of urgent care ambulance which would only respond to calls where paramedic skills are not needed, and change the mix of vehicles at different stations to better meet local need.

Ambulance bosses also want to step up training so that every 999 ambulance or rapid response car has a paramedic on board.

But, the NEAS also wants to abolish the grade of advanced technician – affecting about 140 staff who are highlyskilled, but have not attained the grade of paramedic.

Ms Goodman, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, where the NEAS plans to take out one of three 999 ambulances and two out of three rapid response vehicles in exchange for an extra urgent care ambulance, said: “I have serious concerns that as a direct result of the Coalition Government’s decision to cut 20 per cent from the ambulance service’s budget, the proposed changes could result in the loss of expertise in the frontline services and lower salaries.

“I am meeting with the ambulance service to seek further clarification on the impact of the proposed relocation of ambulances.”

Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, which would lose two of its four rapid response cars under the proposals, said he was writing to the NEAS to seek assurances that this change will not impact on the service that will be provided to the residents of Redcar, and to ensure that this area is still adequately resourced for all types of emergency care.

Mr Johnston said: “We are asking if they have enough of the right people in the right place and enough qualified people to do the job.”