Union warns lives could be at risk if fast response fleet at East Midlands Ambulance Service reduced
The service is looking at cutting fast response vehicles by half.
A plan to reduce the number of fast response vehicles used by East Midlands Ambulance Service has prompted warnings from UNISON that lives could be put at risk.
The union has voiced concerns about proposals that would see the fleet of these rapid response cars halved, with remaining vehicles primarily located in rural areas. Fast response vehicles are often the first to reach patients in serious emergencies, aiming to respond within seven minutes.
UNISON said the changes could result in fewer paramedics being able to reach urgent 999 calls quickly in towns and cities, with ambulances handling these emergencies instead. Paramedics previously driving fast response vehicles would join ambulance crews, which the union claims could lead to delays as they wait in hospital queues rather than responding to calls.
UNISON East Midlands ambulance lead Dave Limer said: “These cuts are dangerous and short-sighted. Fast response vehicles are often first on the scene when someone’s heart has stopped or they’re not breathing. Taking away half of them will result in people waiting longer for help when every second counts.”
UNISON East Midlands ambulance branch secretary Stuart Hallowes added: “Paramedics don’t want to be sat outside hospitals in queues, they want to be out there saving lives. East Midlands Ambulance Service needs to think again before these changes cost lives.”
What do East Midlands Ambulance Service say?
In a statement Ben Holdaway, East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust Director of Operations, defended the plans, saying they are aimed at improving patient safety and increasing double-crewed ambulance capacity.
“We are improving patient safety - not putting lives at risk,”
“Our aim is to improve patient outcomes, service delivery, and staff wellbeing, including creating an increase in double crewed ambulance capacity.
“To enable this, a rostering and rotas review for accident and emergency ambulance teams is in progress and includes proposals to increase double crewed ambulances by reducing FRVs (cars) – without reducing cover in any areas.
“We currently put out more fast response vehicle (FRV) hours compared to ambulance trusts of a similar size and geography.”
The trust has launched a 45-day consultation period, allowing staff to attend station meetings, book one-on-one discussions with leaders, and provide feedback to help shape new rotas. Trade unions are also involved in the consultations.
Holdaway said any final decisions would be informed by feedback and evidence, with the aim of enhancing patient outcomes and improving service delivery alongside staff wellbeing.
East Midlands Ambulance Service say they've had recent progress in its 999 response due to collaboration with unions and staff, citing faster call answering and improved 'hear and treat' targets that reduce ambulance dispatches.
However, the service acknowledged challenges with handovers at hospitals and response times, which have seen improvements compared to last year.