HC Deb 22 May 1990 vol 173 cc140-1W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will initiate an immediate inquiry into the response times of the ambulance service in the Crewe and Nantwich area;

(2) if he will take steps to ensure that sufficient funding is made available to Mersey regional health authority to provide for the urgent recruitment of sufficient ambulance personnel to ensure the provision of an accident and emergency service in the Crewe and Nantwich area;

(3) if he will hold immediate talks with Mersey regional health authority about the provision of emergency ambulance services in the Crewe and Nantwich area.

Mr. Dorrell

Responsibility for ambulance services in Cheshire is a matter for Chester health authority. Resources are allocated to Chester health authority by the Mersey regional health authority taking into account the level and extent of services required in the districts within Cheshire. Chester health authority has recently taken measures to improve the service, including an improvement in response times. The hon. Member may care to contact the chairman of Chester health authority for details.