§ 22. Mr. Dickensasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he proposes to make available pralidoxime mesylate (oxime) tablets, atropine antoject units and atropine eye drops for use by ambulance personnel operating in contaminated areas following an attack with chemical weapons.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe Government are considering how best to protect people from the hazards brought about by the use of chemical weapons, and are examining ways of detecting and monitoring the presence of chemical agents. This is a major task and it would be inappropriate to issue guidance on the availability of drugs for use by ambulance personnel until the work is complete.
§ 69. Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received representations regarding the cutbacks in ambulance provision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe Department has received a number of representations about various aspects of the ambulance service. Some of these have been concerned with the effects of local reorganisation or the application of the correct criteria for transport by the ambulance service, that it should be provided only when the patient has medical need for it.
This Government have increased, not cut back, ambulance provision. Expenditure on ambulance services in England increased by 94.4 per cent. in cash terms between 1978–79 and 1984–85. This represents an increase in real terms of 9.2 per cent.
§ 92. Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review the ambulance service.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe see no reason to do so at present.