§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice or instruction have been given to district health authorities in the Greater London area concerning the use of contractors other than the London ambulance service for provision of non-emergency ambulance services.
§ Mrs. CurrieNone.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what scales of charge, or other financial arrangement for their services, are being made by the London ambulance service to district authorities for provision of non-emergency ambulance services.
§ Mrs. CurrieNo charges are at present levied. Proposals to introduce charges are under consideration by the four Thames regional health authorities. The service to patients will of course continue to be free.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what tests of competence or other conditions relating to standards of remuneration and safety are applied by district or regional health authorities when using ambulance contractors for non-emergency ambulance services.
§ Mrs. CurrieHealth authorities are responsible for the day-to-day management of National Health Service ambulance services. It is for them to arrange the most appropriate, efficient and cost-effective means of transport for each of the patients the ambulance service is asked to convey. This may involve the use of taxi, hire car or other private contractors as well as volunteers. Standards of safety and payments to private contractors are not set centrally: health authorities are responsible for negotiating contracts locally and for setting standards of service, patient care, and safety.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice, guidance or instruction has been given to the London ambulance service in respect of the employment of part-time employees for manning ambulances.
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§ Mrs. CurriePart-time employees are used by the London ambulance service to carry out non-emergency work. The national agreement on the salaried structure for ambulance staff allows management to use any combination of working arrangements to maximise effectiveness, including the use of part-timers where appropriate.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the numbers of persons in each of the categories of personnel of the London ambulance service, including those persons now employed as part-time employees, at the latest convenient date, and the comparable numbers two years before that date.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe information is as follows:
May 1985 May 1987 May 1987 whole time equivalent whole time equivalent actual staff in post Leading ambulance man 60 57 57 Grade 4/Qualified ambulance person 1,560 1,509 1,509 Grade 3 189 564 564 Grade 2 237 Grade 1 53 Ambulance person part-time Nil 97.5 195 Total 2,099 2,227.5 2,325
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the minimum qualifications required by the London ambulance service for personnel employed in a full or part-time capacity in non-emergency ambulance services.
§ Mrs. CurrieApplicants must be at least 21 years old, 5 ft 3 in tall, hold a full United Kingdom driving licence and live in the Greater London area. Successful applicants are trained by the London ambulance service for duties they undertake.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what study has been made of the impact of the reduction in non-emergency ambulance services of the London ambulance service on the administration and efficiency of out-patient departments in hospitals which they serve.
§ Mrs. CurrieI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.