44. Mr. W. T. Williamsasked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the reason why an ambulance from Whiston, a distance of some five miles away, was sent to a motor cyclist injured during the weekend of 12th November, 1965, at Penketh Lane Ends, Warrington, when there was an ambulance depot nearby at Longshaw Street, Warrington.
§ Mr. LoughlinI am informed that this area is normally covered from Widnes, but their ambulance was already out. Lancashire ambulance control then judged it would be as quick to send the ambulance from Whiston as to invoke their mutual aid arrangements with Warrington.
Mr. WilliamsHas the Minister been told that this man as a result lay for 20 minutes in the frost? Does he appreciate that this is a problem of general application? Will he do what lies in his power to end the nonsense by which authorities which have ambulances near to the scene of accident make use of ambulances from a much further distance because of the cost factor? Will he see that in future the nearest ambulance is sent and trouble about payment shall he settled between the authorities after the person has been taken to hospital?
§ Mr. LoughlinI am perfectly sure that the cost factor did not enter into this matter at all. In view of what my hon. and learned Friend has said, the House had better hear what actually took place. A 999 call was received at one minute past midnight and the ambulance from Whiston station arrived at 12 minutes past midnight. Both the motor-cyclist 999 and the passenger arrived at Warrington Hospital at 22 minutes past midnight. Both were slightly injured and neither was detained.