Threat of job losses at London Ambulance Service will not impact on patient care, Assembly hears

25 MAY 2011

The London Ambulance Service today told the London Assembly that its five-year programme involving £53 million of savings and 890 job losses [1] will not affect patient care [2].

Members of the Assembly’s Health and Public Services Committee heard that around 150 front line staff – paramedics and ambulance technicians – leave every year. Under the London Ambulance Service’s plans, the majority of these staff will not be replaced.

However, Michael Dinan, Deputy Chief Executive of the London Ambulance Service, said it hoped to deliver improved care more efficiently through new ways of working. He said not having to meet response time targets for non life-threatening calls gives the service more flexibility over handling calls, for example giving health advice over the phone, and treating people where they were, would reduce the number of ambulance trips to A&E, and so should enable it to make the savings it needs without affecting patient care.

The Committee heard how the service is not just about taking people to hospital but sees itself as the mobile arm of the health service, with crews increasingly making decisions about where best to take or refer patients to, which might not always be the nearest Accident and Emergency unit. The London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade also told Members they would welcome more opportunities to share facilities and procurement to increase efficiencies.

Victoria Borwick, Chair of the Health and Public Services Committee, said; “The London Ambulance Service plays an essential and wide-ranging role in looking after the health of Londoners and so it is reassuring to hear that patient care should not be harmed by the planned changes. 

“However, it remains to be seen whether the quality of its services can be maintained, and so we will continue to keep an eye on developments to ensure any efficiencies and innovations bring benefits to the healthcare of Londoners as well as help balance the books.”

Notes for Editors:

  1. See the London Ambulance Service press release issued on April 11
  2. Watch a webcast of the meeting
  3. More details about the Committee’s investigation into the challenges for the London Ambulance Service
  4. Victoria Borwick AM, Chair of the Health and Public Services Committee, is available for interview.  See contact details below.
  5. 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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