Fight to keep fleet intact

Jan 17 2008 by Dominic Jones, Gwent Gazette

NEW targets set for ambulances in Wales must not be used as an excuse to reduce Blaenau Gwent’s ambulance fleet, AM Trish Law has said.

Health Minister Edwina Hart has set a mandatory 15-minute target to get patients out of ambulances and into Accident and Emergency units.

This is intended to free ambulances which are currently frequently snarled up in queues outside hospitals.

Mrs Law, who has twice written to the health minister about her concerns regarding ambulance delays, said she welcomed the news but still feared for the future of Blaenau Gwent’s ambulance fleet.

The Gazette previously reported how one of Blaenau Gwent’s three ambulances, stationed in Aberbeeg and Tredegar, may be moved away to prioritise other areas.

There are now concerns that the new Assembly targets could increase the likelihood of this occurring.

Mrs Law raised the issue with Edwina Hart in a letter last month, which included Gazette articles on two cases of patients waiting an unacceptable amount of time for an ambulance in Blaenau Gwent.

Mrs Law said in her letter: “This really is an unacceptable situation and, I believe, adds weight to my contention that there must be no ambulance withdrawal from Blaenau Gwent at this time."

She has now underlined her concern, saying the new 15-minute target had to be met and sustained over a period of time before any ambulance withdrawal could be contemplated.

She said: “While I welcome the minister’s announcement I want to be sure that all ambulances will be freed up within 15 minutes at all times.

“I don't want the minister’s announcement to be used as an excuse to withdraw one of Aberbeeg’s two ambulances.

“That would be premature and unsafe, and the safety and wellbeing of patients must be of paramount importance.”