Highly-skilled ambulance staff responding to life-saving emergencies is what matters most, says Assembly

26 JANUARY 2012

Victoria Borwick AM, Chair of the London Assembly’s Health and Public Services Committee, today responded to discussions on closer working between the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade[1] by emphasising that, as well as the speed of the response, it is essential that highly-qualified medical professionals are there to treat the patient.

“As our recent report[2] highlighted, it is no longer the case that the London Ambulance Service just transports patients to hospital.

“Its role - as part of the NHS - is much more about going out, as paramedics, treating Londoners on site, whether by the roadside, at work or at home.

“In our report we identified potential cost savings in sharing some back office premises, but we also highlighted the need for doctors and highly skilled paramedics who are trained to save lives in that "golden hour" of an emergency.

“The ambulance service is one of the main gateways to the NHS for people needing treatment and paramedics are out on our streets now, all day, every day, helping people and saving lives, not just sitting around waiting to respond to a call. For Londoners, knowing that in a medical emergency a highly qualified medical professional will come to their aid, is what matters most.”

Notes for Editors:

  1. The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA )is this afternoon discussing a report which calls for a review of shared stations and joint working between London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.
  2. See the report by the London Assembly’s HPS Committee on the Future of London Ambulance Service published in December 2011 which sets out a number of recommendations, some of which are being discussed at today’s LFEPA meeting.
  3. The Chair of the Health and Public Services Committee, Victoria Borwick AM, is available for interview. See contact details below.
  4. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

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