§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce the retirement age of operational staff in the Ambulance Service. [156168]
§ Ms StuartThere are no plans at this time to reduce the retirement age of operational ambulance staff.
234Wcomplete a nationally recognised training course and should gain supervised driving experience under blue light conditions, before commencing full front-line duties.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is currently looking at the core competencies required for driving various kinds of emergency vehicles under blue light conditions. Any changes recommended by the DSA will be incorporated into the ambulance driver-training programme.