§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has issued to NHS trusts with regard to the specifications of contracts for ambulance and patient transport services and the minimum levels of training required for ambulance personnel.
§ Mr. SackvilleGuidance on contracts was included in "Health Service Guidelines (HSG(91)29): Ambulance and other patient transport services—Operation, use and performance standards". Subsequent circulars FDL(92)82 and FDL(93)07 set out the finance arrangements recommended to those contracting for non-emergency patient transport services. Further guidance on these matters is to be issued very shortly. Copies of guidelines and circulars are available in the Library.
The level of training given to ambulance personnel will depend on the nature of their duties. For example, ambulance paramedics must, as a minimum, achieve the standards currently set by the national health service training directorate.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the policy of her Department with regard to the maximum geographical area which can appropriately be covered by one ambulance service.
§ Mr. SackvilleThere is no restriction on the area for which an ambulance service may tender for service contracts.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations have been received by her Department from groups representing private ambulance operators, with regard to the need for increased regulation or self-regulation of such operators.
§ Mr. SackvilleRepresentations have been received from a number of organisations representing private ambulance 217W services. A representative of one organisation had discussions with the Department of Health's ambulance policy advisory group earlier this year. The advisory group has agreed a code of practice for prospective purchasers and providers setting out minimum standards for non-national health service patient transport services.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts in each regional health authority in England and Wales presently have one or more contracts with private operators for ambulance or patient transport services.
National Health Service qualified midwives employed full-time and part-time by region—September 1988 to 1991 Whole-time equivalents 1988 1989 Full-time Part-time Total Full-time Part-time Total Northern 960 370 1,320 920 370 1,290 Yorkshire 1,240 360 1,610 1,240 380 1,630 Trent 1,380 440 1,820 1,410 440 1,850 East Anglia 670 160 830 630 180 820 North West Thames 960 220 1,180 970 230 1,200 North East Thames 1,300 270 1,580 1,300 270 1,570 South East Thames 880 160 1,040 660 120 780 South West Thames 780 240 1,030 780 270 1,040 Wessex 880 270 1,150 860 300 1,150 Oxford 720 240 960 750 230 980 South Western 810 210 1,020 940 260 1,200 West Midlands 1,670 540 2,210 1,700 550 2,250 Mersey 750 270 1,020 780 310 1,090 North Western 1,690 480 2,170 1,580 530 2,110 Special Health Authority 140 10 150 140 10 150 Total 14,840 4,250 19,080 14,660 4,460 19,110
Whole-time equivalents 1990 1991 Full-time Part-time Total Full-lime Part-time Total Northern 920 370 1,280 910 400 1,310 Yorkshire 1,270 370 1,640 1,210 410 1,620 Trent 1,410 470 1,880 1,390 490 1,880 East Anglia 640 170 810 610 180 780 North West Thames 980 230 1,210 880 250 1,130 North East Thames 1,340 270 1,610 1,280 310 1,600 South East Thames 1,150 250 1,400 990 320 1,310 South West Thames 740 240 980 780 260 1,040 Wessex 820 310 1,130 790 350 1,140 Oxford 760 250 1,010 730 300 1,030 South Western 950 280 1,230 10 1,180 1,180 West Midlands 1,750 570 2,320 1,650 570 2,220 Mersey 800 320 1,120 770 340 1,110 North Western 1,580 570 2,150 1,580 620 2,190 Special Health Authority 80 0 80 90 0 90 Total 15,200 4,660 19,860 13,670 5,980 19,640 Source: HAP(STATS)B Non-Medical Workforce Census.
Notes:
1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
2. Figures exclude student and pupil midwives.
3. Figures exclude Senior Midwives (Midwives in administration).
4. Totals may not sum due to rounding.