HC Deb 14 December 1989 vol 163 cc793-5W
Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state the range and nature of each extended skill qualification available to the personnel of the ambulance service together with the current incremental payment per annum for each.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Extended ambulance training to the NHS Training Authority standard is designed to save life and reduce morbidity and mortality by extending the skills of selected ambulance staff in endotracheal intubation, intravenous infusion and cardiac care. Some ambulance staff have received training to meet all or part of the NHS Training Authority package or to local standards but currently do not receive additional payment for this. The management side's final pay offer includes an additional £500 a year backdated to 1 April 1989 for staff with extended training to NHS Training Authority standards and required to use paramedical skills. There is also an undertaking to agree, by 28 February 1990, a national framework for the recognition of staff trained to intermediate standards with payments also backdated to 1 April 1989.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the numbers of personnel of the London ambulance service currently trained to NHSTA certificate standards who would qualify for the advertised additional £500 pay; and what increase in such numbers is planned by the London Ambulance Board.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The management of the London ambulance service is the responsibility of the South West Thames regional health authority to which I refer the hon. Member.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the pay, at 1989 prices, of a qualified ambulance person for each year since 1974.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Information about national basic pay rates for qualified ambulance men/women since 1974 at 1989 prices is in the table.

Ambulancemen basic pay 1974–1988 at 1989 prices
Date of settlement Basic pay Basic pay at 1989 prices
£ £
1 January 1974 1,981 9,632
1 January 19751 1,981 8,227
1 January 19761 2,607 8,576
1 January 19771 2,503 7,296
1 January 19781 2,701 6,721
1 January 1979 2,912 6,697
1 April 19802 3,994 7,943
1 January 1981 4,304 7,320
1 April 1982 4,579 6,459
1 April 1983 4,797 6,495
1 April 1984 5,014 6,499
1 April 19853 8,604 10,434
1 April 1986 9,120 10,801
1 April 1987 9,576 10,864
1 April 1988 10,093 10,925
1 April 19894 11,001
1 Period of Pay Restraint.
2 Following Final Clegg Award Payment. Interim payments were made on 1 August 1979 and 1 January 1980.
3 New Pay Structure includes Special Duty payments and an element for overtime.
4 Final Pay Offer.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received from police forces and the Police Federation concerning the ambulance dispute;

(2) what representations he has received from regional and district health authorities concerning the conduct of the ambulance dispute.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

A few representations have been received from district health authorities and none from the police or Police Federation.

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