'999 cost cuts risk lives'

10:09am Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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Costcutting and compromised care standards are putting lives at risk, according to an ambulance service whistle-blower.

The Western Telegraph has received a damning document outlining serious concerns about the service.

The writer, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of dismissal, claims to have been a Pembrokeshire paramedic for a number of years, and describes service management as 'woefully poor'. The insider has alleged numerous concerns including: destruction of crew morale, additional workloads, fully equipped ambulances standing empty without crews, no extra crews for busy holiday periods, doctor-on-call delays adding to ambulance crews' burden, and crews having to clean stations in between calls to patients.

He says the current situation is a step backwards, and there has been an erosion in standards of cover and care.

"I joined the service to make a difference and to save life, not to be prevented from doing so by penny-pinching."

The document contains wide-ranging allegations highlighting shortcomings in the ambulance service, community hospitals, Withybush's A&E department, and the doctors on call/out-of-hours service. It states that five ambulances cover the whole of the county. Single manned rapid response units are used, but cannot transport patients to hospital.

The document states: "The result of this will, without doubt, cost people their lives waiting for an ambulance to become free."

The letter adds that congestion at Withybush leads to ambulances spending hours trying to offload patients.

It says: "While we are doing so, ambulance cover in the county dwindles. I have seen five crews stuck outside A&E, leaving Pembrokeshire with no free ambulance."

Community Health Council chairman, Ashley Warlow, said: "If these allegations are substantiated this represents a worrying scenario for patients.

"I personally find it worrying, if it is proven, that paramedics actually have to go into our community hospitals to administer drugs due to a lack of doctors and qualified nurses. "Equally disturbing is the allegation the ambulance service is being utilised instead of the 'doctors on call/out-of-hours' service.

"We have for some time been concerned at the ambulance waits at Withybush and have been closely monitoring that situation."

He added: "We will look into these allegations as a matter of urgency. This is a key emergency service that cannot be diminished."

Mike Collins, Welsh Ambulance Service regional director (interim), said: "We recognise this is one person's opinion and although we value all staff opinions, there are significant inaccuracies throughout this letter.

"I'm extremely disappointed this individual felt they weren't able to bring these points of concern directly to me; I would be happy to meet with any colleagues face-to-face to listen to their comments and allay any fears."

He added a recent audit report indicated that although there are still difficult challenges within the service, 'significant progress has been made in overcoming long-standing and deep seated problems'.

Mr Collins said: "This is a credit to staff at all levels of the organisation."

The document's author is now looking for work elsewhere.

He said: "I simply can't have anything to do with such a disgraceful, inept situation as the one I am currently being asked to work in."