Wait and see plea over changes in Ambulance Service

It is part of a reorganisation which will take place from April and involves one of the ambulances replaced with a Rapid Response Vehicle each night from Monday to Thursday.

Mr Craig said that ambulance staff have been told that changes, which have been discussed with the unions and management, provide the best way forward for the service.

However, he said he had some reservations with his main concern being a time delay between the withdrawal of the ambulance and the introduction of the new vehicle.

He said that he is also concerned the new vehicle, which is single-manned, cannot physically carry anyone to hospital, though the driver of the vehicle can administer immediate help.

Mr Craig said the Ambulance crews have been told this is the 'right way' forward and that two ambulances will still be based at Lagan Valley during nights at the weekend.

"These changes are not in place yet and we should take a wait and see approach," he said "Who are we to say that these changes are wrong? We will just have to give it a chance and see if it works."

A spokesperson for Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said that in line with other HSC Trusts it has been required to make 3% efficiency savings over the period of the comprehensive spending review.

"NIAS consulted between November 2008 and February 2009 on its proposals to realise these savings. After the consultation period and having considered the responses received from the consultation process NIAS presented revised proposals to the Minister of Health for his consideration and approval" said the spokesperson.

"NIAS has been in the fortunate position to secure investment as part of the same Comprehensive Spending Review process which has enabled the Trust to offset any reduction in traditional A&E cover with the introduction of an equivalent or greater number of paramedic rapid response hours.

"At Lisburn station the number of traditional type A&E hours being reduced is 6570. The number of paramedic rapid response hours being introduced is 11680. This equates to a net increase of 5110 paramedic hours.

"In order to mitigate against the reduced capacity for transportation NIAS has introduced a number of measures including a pilot for offering clinical advice to appropriate calls in the emergency control centre and making greater use of Intermediate Care Vehicles in respect of GP urgent calls."