Minister approves Ambulance Service efficiency savings proposals

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has approved proposals by the Ambulance Service which will result in around 66,000 additional paramedic hours across Northern Ireland.

The proposals will see an extra 26 Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) on the ground enabling paramedics to bring life-saving treatment to patients more quickly.

Mr McGimpsey said: “Last year I announced record investment in the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) of £100million over the next 10 years in vehicles and other vital equipment. This includes a major £17million capital investment up to 2011 to allow the Service to buy 60 new A&E ambulances, 26 Rapid Response Vehicles and a further 60 non-emergency vehicles.

"A further £12million revenue funding has been allocated to strengthen and support ambulance services so they can respond more quickly to emergency calls and help provide life-saving services to patients who need it. In fact, the public is already starting to benefit from this investment as ambulance response times continue to improve significantly.

"Latest figures show that the ambulance service is exceeding its current target of responding to 70% of category 'A' life-threatening calls within eight minutes with a response figure of nearly 74% within the target. This progess is very welcome and I intend that it should continue.”

The investment will also enable the NIAS to replace older ambulances and allow them to move to a running replacement programme so that, in time, no vehicle will be more than five years old.

The Minister continued: "The budget agreement requires Health and Social Care to achieve £700million in efficiency savings over the three years to 2011. The NIAS has had to find its share of 3% efficiency savings over the next three years. Following careful scrutiny I have now approved their proposals to achieve these savings on the condition that there are no compulsory redundancies and most importantly, that the Ambulance Service abides by its duty to provide high quality, safe and effective services to patients in Northern Ireland.

“In addition, I have asked the NIAS to ensure it closely monitors and evaluates the changes. In particular, they will review the model proposed for Belfast so that they can ensure that it is providing a rapid and life-saving response to all patients.

“I accept that a great deal of work is still necessary to plan and deliver these proposals. I have asked the NIAS to take this forward as a matter of urgency and with full consultation and engagement with the trade unions.

“I want to acknowledge the way in which the Ambulance Service has actively sought to engage with the public and have changed a number of their original proposals to take account of public concerns. It is essential that patients receive the best possible care and treatment and that we all continue our efforts to create the world-class health service our population deserves.”

Notes to Editors:

1. NIAS proposals are available online.

2. Media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0636 or 028 9052 0579 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.