§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what technology exists for ambulances on emergency call to use British Telecom or Mercury landlines in response to emergency calls as suggested in Health Notice HN(84)17.
§ Mr. John PattenThe technology exists and is employed where practicable within the National Health Service for channelling communications through land-lines. Considerations for health authorities in selecting replacements for fixed point-to-point radio links will include the rental cost and availability of commercial landlines.
§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why it has been necessary to introduce urgent action to remove ambulance staff and doctors using radio paging units from frequencies specified in Health Notice HN(84)17; and what prior consultations have taken place with medical staff and emergency services.
§ Mr. John PattenThe change in Home Office radio regulatory policy affecting certain users of point-to-point fixed radio links was announced in November 1978. A copy of the Department's circular HN(78)158 to health authorities and family practitioner committees is in the Library.
HN(84)17 sets out the detailed current position. Officials of our Department have been in communication with National Health Service ambulance service representatives and have also represented the National Health Service's overall interests in consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry. However, it is for each health authority to determine overall requirements and set up communications systems to meet local needs. I would have expected works officers locally to have been planning 236W communications networks since November 1978 in anticipation of frequency changes and conducting any necessary consultations through the usual channels.