4:55pm Wednesday 5th December 2007
Voluntary ambulance car drivers at Withybush Hospital, who say their request for a rise in mileage allowance has been ignored for four years, have threatened to withdraw their services tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday as a protest.
"All we are asking for is parity with other drivers in parts of Wales, who receive 6p a mile more than us, but the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust has come up only with promises since 2003," said the drivers' spokesman David Taylor.
"All but four of the 47 drivers at Withybush are joining in this refusal to make themselves available for two days, and we have the active support of 26 drivers in Carmarthen and Swansea."
Mr Taylor said drivers in other parts of Wales have been receiving 40p a mile allowance while theirs has been stuck at 34p for years.
"With the recent 50p a gallon rise in fuel prices we are subsidising the service.
"All we want is the same treatment as drivers elsewhere.
"About a month ago the Trust promised an extra 2p from November 1st and another 2p in April, but nothing has happened so far and we feel badly let down."
The volunteer drivers use their own cars to ferry patients to and from hospital.
A Trust spokesman said: "Our ambulance car drivers are a valuable and highly respected section of the Welsh ambulance service and we are grateful to all the volunteers who provide such an important service. It goes without saying that their work makes a difference to the lives of many patients, their families and carers across Wales.
"It is because our volunteers are held in such regard that the Trust has established one of the highest mileage allowance rates in the UK, which will be paid from April next year. This has been welcomed by volunteer car drivers in all other parts of Wales."
The spokesman added that contingency plans for patients during the drivers' action include the possible use of St John Ambulance, the Community Transport Association, the use of eight new ambulances and possible use of ambulance officers' leased cars. Alternative booking arrangements may also be made and ambulance car drivers in central and west Wales will be asked if they can make themselves available.
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