Ambulance Services (Hansard, 20 November 2001)

§ Dr. Julian Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the proposed merger of Hampshire and Surrey ambulance services; [13687]
(2) what representations he has received from community health councils about the proposed merger of Hampshire and Surrey ambulance services; [13688]
(3) if he will list the organisations other than community health councils which have made representations (a) in favour and (b) against the proposed merger of Hampshire and Surrey ambulance services. [13689]

§ Ms Blears
[holding answer 9 November 2001]: There has been a public consultation on proposals to establish new ambulance trusts in the south-east region including one to establish a new trust serving Hampshire and Surrey.
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The period of consultation ended on 7 September. There has been a large response to the proposals.
With regard to the proposals for Hampshire and Surrey, all 10 community health councils covering the area wrote jointly expressing their opposition to the proposals. Several also wrote individual letters of opposition.
A total of 34 organisations and individuals responded specifically to the proposals for Hampshire and Surrey, in addition to the CHCs. Of these, eight supported the proposals, 22 opposed them and four set out reservations, without opposing them. Copies of all written responses to the consultation will be placed in the Library.
Ministers are currently considering the responses. A decision on the review will be made taking account of the comments received.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of the recent consultation on the future of Hampshire ambulance service. [15221]

§ Ms Blears
[holding answer 16 November 2001]: The information requested is not available centrally.

§ Mr. Simmonds
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide Government funding for the provision of air ambulance services in(a) rural areas across the United Kingdom and (b) Lincolnshire. [15600]

§ Ms Blears
Air ambulances can have a role in delivering emergency care in rural areas and where road access is a problem. However, in 1995, the Department commissioned Sheffield university to report on air ambulances. The report failed to show clinical or cost benefits which would justify national health service investment. Currently, no air ambulance service receives public funding, although, in most cases the NHS continues to provide fully trained paramedics to crew these aircraft when they respond to emergencies. In recognition of growing public interest in this subject, further research has been commissioned into the contribution of air ambulances to the care and transportation of seriously ill patients in a modern NHS.
The provision and funding of air ambulance services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for the devolved Assemblies.