§ Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to commission an independent inquiry into the operation of the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service. [188806]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Department has no plans to commission an independent inquiry into the operation of the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service.
§ Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources his Department provides to regional ambulance services; and what assessment he has made of current levels of demand on regional ambulance services. [188807]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThere are 31 national health service ambulance trusts in England. Primary care trusts (PCTs) commission health services to meet the needs of their local population, in partnership with strategic health authorities (SHAs) and other local stakeholders. In line with "Shifting the Balance of Power", it is the responsibility of PCTs to determine how best to use their overall allocations to meet national and local priorities. In calculating overall budget allocations for PCTs, the Department takes into account a range of factors, including changes in demand-led activities such as ambulance journeys.
The annual number of incidents attended by ambulance services increased by seven per cent., in 2003—04. As part of the review of ambulance policy and services currently underway, we are examining the possible reasons for this increase.
§ Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the(a) performance and (b) emergency response provision of the Merseyside Regional Ambulance Service; [188808]
(2) what progress has been made by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service in achieving national performance targets; and if he will make a statement. [188809]
1749WS
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe information requested on performance of the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service can be found in the statistical bulletin, "Ambulance Services, England": 2003—04. A copy of the bulletin is available in the Library and can also be found on the Department's website at www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0411.htm.