HC Deb 19 June 1991 vol 193 cc182-3W
Mr. Evennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in converting NHS training directorate ambulance aid and extended ambulance, paramedic training to national vocational qualifications status; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Progress on the development of national vocational qualifications for ambulance staff is well advanced. Occupational standards for ambulance staff have been extensively tested throughout the NHS and in collaboration with the armed forces and the voluntary sector.

The proposed qualifications will be presented to the December meeting of the Care Sector Consortium, which is the lead industry body for health and social care, and on approval will go to the National Council for Vocational Qualifications for formal acceptance.

It is expected that qualifications will be available from January 1992, and will be phased in over the following two years, replacing the existing NHS training directorate qualifications.

A process for the conversion of existing NHS training directorate qualifications to NVQs is being determined and will be included in the December submission to Care Sector Consortium.

Mr. Evennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulance services in England operate motor cycle or other dedicated fast response paramedic services; what assessment has been made of the costs and benefit of such services; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dorrell

The information requested is not collected centrally, although we are aware that there are a number of fast response services operating around the country. It is for individual ambulance services to assess the costs and benefits of such services in the light of local circumstances.