§ 21. Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services upon what grounds transfer 333W arrangements for physiotherapy patients normally provided by the London ambulance services inner central zone were cancelled during the Christmas period; and at what level of management this decision was taken.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI understand that the normal emergency-cover was provided during the Christmas period; but because of adverse weather conditions, which produced an abnormal and consistently high level of demand for emergency transport, the emergency service had to be supplemented by non-emergency crews. As a result, the London ambulance service had to curtail non-urgent transport. Such decisions in the London ambulance service are taken at assistant chief officer level.