HC Deb 10 April 1978 vol 947 cc278-9W
Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons injured in an accident died on the way to hospital in an ambulance in the last year for which figures are available.

Mr. Moyle

I regret that information in this form is not available centrally.

Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the percentage of ambulance men who are adequately trained to provide emergency treatment required at the scene of accidents; and what is the comparative percentage in the United States of America and in West Germany.

Mr. Moyle

Eighty-six per cent. of all ambulance drivers and attendants have been trained to give the full range of ambulance aid to accident and emergency patients. Another 12 per cent. employed exclusively on the transportation of sitting case patients are trained in first aid. Accident and emergency work comprises less than 10 per cent. of the total work load of the ambulance service. Figures relating to the services in the United States of America and West Germany, where the organisation differs from that in Great Britain, are not known.