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by Jackie Porter on 4 January, 2022
| Ambulance crisis: Lib Dem MP’s are appalled that heart attack sufferers may be forced to make their own way to hospital . I must say I share their concern. Jackie asks: North East Ambulance Service is asking patients to call a friend or family member- will this happen in Winchester too? |
| Responding to reports that ambulance trusts have begun asking patients with a stroke or a heart attack to get a lift to hospital with family and friends instead of waiting for an ambulance, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:“The idea that someone suffering a stroke or heart attack should or even could find a friend, family member or neighbour to drive them to A&E because an ambulance isn’t available is appalling. “It’s frankly shocking that it has come to this. Make no mistake that this is the result of an incompetent Conservative Government which has completely failed to get a handle on Omicron and which has run our health services into the ground for years and years. “It is clear the Government must direct more funding into ambulance services in the long-run, but in the here and now Ministers must stop burying their heads in the sand and thrash out a rescue plan to address this NHS staffing crisis. “The Health Secretary must make a statement tomorrow and come clean on the magnitude of the crisis facing our ambulances, hospitals and emergency care.” *The Health Service Journal reports that an internal note at North East Ambulance Service Foundation Trusts said that where there was likely to be a risk from the delay in an ambulance reaching a patient, call handlers should “consider asking the patient to be transported by friends or family” in the case of calls including category two – which covers suspected strokes and heart attacks. |
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