§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will investigate the hardship created to the public by the ambulance dispute in Staffordshire; if he will discuss with the area health authority the need to, adopt the National Health Service dispute procedure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanThe Staffordshire area health authority recently decided to introduce new manning levels and reduce unproductive overtime to enable it to recruit more staff and improve the service. Ambulance men at some stations refused to co-operate and have declined to work overtime. This has reduced the number of ambulances available. Although day patients have been inconvenienced, emergency services have not been affected. The area health authority has offered consultations with the trade unions, and a meeting is due to take place on 12 December. If differences remain, the area health authority will decide whether to implement the NHS disputes procedure.