19.04.11
999 staff struggle to deal with ambulance cuts
The Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel (APAP), one of the leading unions representing paramedics, has warned that ambulance cuts “will affect the front line”. An implemented review in Greater Manchester has shown that half of the region’s stations could be cut. APAP’s Simon Jones believes crews would then spend more time travelling to restock drugs and medical equipment or taking breaks. Speaking to the Independent he argued: "We don't agree with spending cuts but if you are going to do it, it should be done in a proportionate way. It is not proportionate to cut ambulance stations and such premises." The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) are considering a scheme to deal with such cuts. The “rationalisation of stations” plan could ensure new stations are built or moved to sites shared with other emergency services. They are also considering relocating and making major repairs at 17 out of 35 of the region’s stations. A report by NWAS management says: “The scale of the financial challenge facing us means that it is likely that the number of stations will need to be reduced. However this will be undertaken in a structured and objective manner.” The bosses also reassured 999 staff that their proposed plan would not lead to redundancies and changes will have minimal impact on frontline services. NWAS’s Alan Stuttard, in comments carried by the Manchester Evening News, insisted: “In the current financial climate, as a responsible public sector organisation, NWAS must look at ways in which it can make efficiencies with minimum disruption to its frontline services.”
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