HC Deb 07 February 1989 vol 146 cc635-7W
Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what would be the savings made or estimated to be made by withdrawing exclusive telephone lines from the central control room of the London ambulance service to ambulance stations; and what assessment has been made of the advantage gained or disadvantages experienced in operational efficiency.

Mr. Freeman

No estimates have been made of the costs of withdrawing the private wire circuits between the central control room of the London ambulance service and ambulance stations. They have been upgraded to accept data transmissions as part of the introduction of the computer-aided dispatch system. The primary function of these circuits is the mobilisation of ambulance crews by providing direct contact between the control room and ambulance stations. It would not therefore be practical to discontinue their use. As the new system has been installed for less than four weeks, it is not yet possible to assess effectively the advantages gained or any disadvantages which might be experienced.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent changes have been made in the control room equipment or organisation of the London ambulance service; if he has assessed the efficiency and effectiveness of any new equipment; and if he will place in the Library a copy of any evaluation study or efficiency report relating to recent capital expenditure.

Mr. Freeman

To facilitate the installation of a new computer-aided dispatch system, the London ambulance service central control room has transferred to temporary accommodation while changes and refurbishment to accommodate computer terminal equipment are carried out. The automatic call distribution telephone system has been extended and a new selective calling radio system introduced: in addition, to alleviate difficulties caused by the temporary reorganisation, the number of control staff answering calls has been increased. As the computer-aided dispatch system will not be fully functional until August 1989, it would be premature to carry out any evaluation at this stage.

Capital budget
SWTRHA 17.53 per cent. NETRHA 32.38 per cent. NWTRHA 28.91 per cent. SETRHA 21.18 per cent. Total
1984–85 653,878 1,208,078 1,078,406 790,115 3,730,477
1985–86 727,091 1,343,343 1,199,153 878,582 4,148,169
1986–87 1,361,972 2,516,323 2,246,228 1,645,742 7,770,265
1987–88 3,949,498 3,949,498
1988–89 7,169,000 7,169,000

Revenue budget
SWTRHA 17.53 per cent. SWTRHA 32.38 per cent. NWTRHA 28.91 per cent. NWTRHA 21.18 per cent. Total
1984–85 6,503,000 12,015,000 10,725,000 7,858,000 37,101,000
1985–86 6,687,000 12,355,000 11,029,000 8,860,000 38,151,000
1986–87 7,332,000 13,546,000 12,092,000 8,860,000 41,830,000
1987–88 43,099,000 43,099,000
1988–89 46,060,840 46,060,840

Since 1987 the Department of Health has made the total allocation direct to the managing authority, South West Thames RHA. The South West Thames RHA would normally expect the London ambulance service to remain within its budget.