§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what funding is being made available to Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust and surrounding trusts to facilitate mergers with neighbouring trusts; [151569]
(2) when he received the South East Region ambulance review; and when he made a decision on it. [151571]
§ Ms StuartNo decision has yet been taken about merging ambulance trusts in the south-east.
The ambulance trusts have been reviewing the way in which ambulance services in the south-east are provided to ensure that they are delivered in a way which is consistent with the modernisation of the National Health Service and which ensures they can play a full role in the delivery of emergency and pre-hospital care. Proposals for the future of the service have been produced which will require public consultation. I will be meeting the chairs and chief executives of the ambulance trusts shortly to discuss these proposals.
§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding will be provided to Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust for paramedic training and the enhancement of skill levels of paramedics. [151570]
§ Ms StuartFunding for paramedic training, both new recruits and refresher training for qualified paramedics, is incorporated in the total budget for providing emergency ambulance services. For 2000–01 the total budget for Oxfordshire Ambulance National Health Service Trust was £10 million.