§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on plans to expand the(a) training, (b) qualifications and (c) skills of ambulance staff; [142397]
(2) whether the planned expansion to the training given to ambulance staff will take place in-house; and if he will make a statement; [142398]
(3) if he will make a statement on changes in the (a) workload and (b) expertise of ambulance (i) paramedics and (ii) technicians. [142402]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe latest information available about ambulance workloads is contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin, "Ambulance Services, England 2002–03". A copy of the bulletin is available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313.htm.
302WIncreases in the workload have meant additional work for all grades of ambulance staff. Clinical and technological advances have extended the nature and range of pre-hospital interventions available. Front line ambulance staff—both technician and paramedic—have undergone further training and developed additional treatment skills leading to higher standards of patient care.
This has included expanding the role of paramedics to provide more out of hospital care through the administering of clot busting drugs and in some areas being based in general practitioner surgeries. New ways of working have seen ambulance services introducing community/first responder schemes in a number of areas across the country.
It is the responsibility of local trusts to determine the training needs of their staff.
§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which procedure is used to determine whether ambulances should be sent with a police escort when answering an emergency call. [142401]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe decision to request a police escort lies with the individual ambulance crew. Policies and procedures for the request of a police escort are agreed at a local level between the ambulance trust and its local police force.