Plans from the 1st October 2004 are to send Doctors to deal with 999 calls rather than Ambulance crews? This is part of a scheme by (TENYAS) to reduce the number of unnecessary call-outs crews attend.
This news as been met with extreme caution by many from all walks of life; Greg Knight MP for East Yorkshire, said; it would have to be monitored very carefully, he also said, if it means that, in urgent cases where people are seriously ill there will always be an ambulance available, it might be a good thing, But, if it means people who should be taken to hospital are going to be left to talk to someone on the phone, it is not acceptable!
Mick Pilling, Chairman of: Bridlington Hospital Campaign, said: 1st we lose the 1st Responder/Rapid Response Ambulance Car, then we get a reduction in ambulances were our Bridlington based crews are working at full capacity, now we have ludicrous decisions made without consulting the very people who matter, the general public, the very people who pay for this NHS service, reflected in there Taxes!
It's no secret the NHS is stretched financially....look at the state of our Hospital's; Scarborough, Hull & Malton, all in debt? Now we have the Ambulance service run by: Jayne Barnes, Chief Executive TENYAS who is making extreme cuts? Yes it's all down to making ends meet; has stated by the Media, cut down on white-collar workers and put the money into the front-line.
Time-wasting; many of the Bridlington based Ambulances taking patients to Scarborough Hospital, could be avoided if some of the patients were in fact taken to Bridlington Hospital, there is no-need in a lot of cases why patients are taken to Scarborough hospital, if Chief Executive Alison Guy of, Scarborough Hospital Trust were to look into many of the cases I'm sure many ambulances could be feed-up, thus making the ambulance more viable.
If the Ambulance service plans to screen all calls made by the public then they should cover all the angles...they must look at were patients are taken; i.e. ambulances pass the Bridlington hospital to go to Scarborough hospital....does this make any sense, not to the many people I speak too, Bridlington hospital is under-utilized, it should be used more and more, what is the problem....yes money once more? What comes first.."Life or Death" We will now set out to make sure that this new system of call-screening has regular reviews.....That patients are still the main priority and that patient safety is paramount at all times.
We believe that in most cases it will be the elderly who will suffer as most have problems with phone conversations, the last thing you want when you are not well or you have had a bad accident is someone on a phone asking you silly questions and telling you, you don't need an ambulance? are you sure? Wouldn't you be better ringing NHS direct?
The Save/Support Bridlington Hospital Campaign ; run by Mick Pilling (Chairman) would like to hear your Ambulance experience; Good or Bad:
- How long did you wait?
- Were you treated well?
- What hospital were you taken too?
- Would you like to praise the Ambulance staff?
- Tell us all, we want a reliable Ambulance service not one that is diced and sliced!
Mick Pilling.
12, New Pasture Close,
Bridlington
East Yorkshire
YO16 7NT
Telephone/Facsimile: (01262) 671926
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.savebridlingtonhospital.co.uk
We will address this present situation with our local MP Greg Knight, Councillors and other dignitaries.