HC Deb 10 July 1987 vol 119 cc309-10W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the reply concerning the London ambulance service 1 July, Official Report, column 120, if he will list the number of emergency ambulance shifts of eight hours which were lost due to constraints of finance for crew costs in each of the ambulance stations in the north-east division of the London ambulance service in each of the months of April, May and June.

Mrs. Currie

No emergency ambulance shifts were lost due to constraints of finance. When staff shortages occur senior managers assess the provision of services and take the action they consider appropriate to ensure the work load is covered.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations he had with chairmen of the four thames regional health authorities and district health authorities, respectively, concerning funding of the London ambulance service from his Department; and if he will state the amount of the grant for the financial year 1987–88.

Mrs. Currie

We have had no such consultations. The South West Thames regional health authority which is responsible for managing the London ambulance service, issued a short-term programme earlier this year which gave details of the financial provision for the LAS. The programme was circulated to the other Thames regions and districts concerned for comment. The budget for the LAS for 1987–88 is £41,351,661.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements he has made with the London ambulance service to provide it with sufficient funds for the year 1987–88 to enable it to respond to the annual pattern of emergency service demands for its services within the established standards of response times.

Mrs. Currie

We have made no arrangements direct with the London ambulance service. The South West Thames regional health authority is responsible for managing and funding the London ambulance service and will no doubt take into account the expected levels of emergency calls and the minimum response times that the Department recommends in setting the budget.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out in the Official Report the figures for the non-emergency patient journeys run under the auspices of the London ambulance service for each of the first two quarters of 1987 in the format of his reply of 5 March, Official Report, column 679, showing percentage change with the respective quarters in 1984.

Mrs. Currie

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.