Andrew’s Barnet response to London Ambulance Service being placed under special measures
“Sadly it’s no surprise to anyone in Barnet that the London Ambulance Service has been put into special measures. Barnet has the worst ambulance response times of any London borough. Only half of emergency 999 calls in Barnet arrive within the eight minute target response time.
“After Barnet Hospital closed its doors to ambulances twice last winter I asked for guarantees that they sort out their admissions procedures, which tie up ambulances for hours and stop them responding to emergencies. I have asked the Royal Free NHS Trust for an update from Barnet Hospital on what it is doing to make sure there is no repeat this winter.
“It’s deeply concerning that the ambulance service has been found to be inadequate in terms of being safe and well-led. Not training enough staff is a major failure, especially when there are hundreds of people in Barnet desperate for well-paid skilled work.
“I am writing to the new London Ambulance Service Chief Executive asking her to start a recruitment and training drive in Barnet as soon as possible and making it widely known that we want local people to get these jobs. More than 400 new London ambulance staff this year have been recruited from Australia.”
NOTES: Dr Fionna Moore was appointed new London Ambulance Service Chief Executive in July 2015.
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