Menu
02/07/2004
Green light for ambulances on speeding fine problem
Ambulance drivers will no longer be issued with speeding fines when en-route to emergency 999 calls, Health Minister Rosie Winterton announced today.
The Ambulance Service Association (ASA) estimates that it costs some Ambulance Trusts up to £1million a year to deal with the paperwork involved in proving that vehicles are responding to emergencies.
It is hoped that the new protocol will help reduce bureaucracy and free up staff to deal with more pressing issues of patient care.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) have already issued a letter to all police forces explaining the new protocol. It states that a fixed penalty notice can only be sent out to the offending trust, if, on inspection of the photograph, blue lights cannot be seen flashing.
Speaking at the Ambex Conference, Harrogate, the Health Minister said: "In future, fixed penalty tickets for speed and red light offences will not be sent to ambulance trusts if blue emergency lights can be seen in use on the vehicle in the photograph. This will substantially reduce the bureaucracy ambulance staff have to endure by processing speeding tickets.
"Over the last year 75.7 % of category A calls resulted in a response arriving within eight minutes. This means ambulances are reaching more patients with life-threatening conditions faster than ever before - 50,000 more in 2003-04 than the previous year.
"Today's announcement will help ensure that ambulance staff are supported in delivering first class services for patients."
Richard Diment, Chief Executive of the Ambulance Service Association, welcomed the move, saying he was delighted "that this bureaucratic nightmare has been resolved".
"It will save the NHS a lot more time and money, freeing up ambulance trust resources," he added.
(MB)
The Ambulance Service Association (ASA) estimates that it costs some Ambulance Trusts up to £1million a year to deal with the paperwork involved in proving that vehicles are responding to emergencies.
It is hoped that the new protocol will help reduce bureaucracy and free up staff to deal with more pressing issues of patient care.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) have already issued a letter to all police forces explaining the new protocol. It states that a fixed penalty notice can only be sent out to the offending trust, if, on inspection of the photograph, blue lights cannot be seen flashing.
Speaking at the Ambex Conference, Harrogate, the Health Minister said: "In future, fixed penalty tickets for speed and red light offences will not be sent to ambulance trusts if blue emergency lights can be seen in use on the vehicle in the photograph. This will substantially reduce the bureaucracy ambulance staff have to endure by processing speeding tickets.
"Over the last year 75.7 % of category A calls resulted in a response arriving within eight minutes. This means ambulances are reaching more patients with life-threatening conditions faster than ever before - 50,000 more in 2003-04 than the previous year.
"Today's announcement will help ensure that ambulance staff are supported in delivering first class services for patients."
Richard Diment, Chief Executive of the Ambulance Service Association, welcomed the move, saying he was delighted "that this bureaucratic nightmare has been resolved".
"It will save the NHS a lot more time and money, freeing up ambulance trust resources," he added.
(MB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 April 2013
Woman Dies After Mini Bus Collides With A Lorry On The M62
A woman has died and around 25 people are believed to be injured after a mini bus, carrying a group of women to a hen night, was involved in a collision on the M62 in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Paramedics, firefighters and at least six air ambulances attended the scene of the crash which occurred at around 11am this morning.
Woman Dies After Mini Bus Collides With A Lorry On The M62
A woman has died and around 25 people are believed to be injured after a mini bus, carrying a group of women to a hen night, was involved in a collision on the M62 in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Paramedics, firefighters and at least six air ambulances attended the scene of the crash which occurred at around 11am this morning.
19 August 2004
Ambulance call-outs to be tailored to patients' need
Patients with non-urgent conditions who dial 999 will not automatically be sent an ambulance, but may instead receive treatment at home or from other healthcare professionals, under changes announced today by Health Minister Rosie Winterton.
Ambulance call-outs to be tailored to patients' need
Patients with non-urgent conditions who dial 999 will not automatically be sent an ambulance, but may instead receive treatment at home or from other healthcare professionals, under changes announced today by Health Minister Rosie Winterton.
26 November 2007
'Dirty Ambulances' May Spread MRSA
Ambulances may be aiding the spread of hospital-based infections such as MRSA because they are not being cleaned properly, a union has claimed. The investigation by Unison found wide variations in cleaning practices at ambulance trusts across the UK and said that poor cleaning arrangements and a lack of resources were contributing to the problem.
'Dirty Ambulances' May Spread MRSA
Ambulances may be aiding the spread of hospital-based infections such as MRSA because they are not being cleaned properly, a union has claimed. The investigation by Unison found wide variations in cleaning practices at ambulance trusts across the UK and said that poor cleaning arrangements and a lack of resources were contributing to the problem.
03 July 2006
Government announces investment in ambulances
NHS ambulance trusts in England have been given a £25 million boost in order to help improve response times for the most urgent calls.
Government announces investment in ambulances
NHS ambulance trusts in England have been given a £25 million boost in order to help improve response times for the most urgent calls.
04 January 2005
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
