Ambulance bosses promise 999 service will improve, despite Grimsby and Louth closures
THE number of paramedics attending 999 calls will rise, despite some roles being cut to create a more "streamlined" service.
Ambulance bosses – including East Midlands Ambulance Service's operational support manager Steve Pratten – are reassuring patients following the announcement of proposals to reshape the service.
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UNDER THREAT: East Midlands Ambulance Service's operational support manager Steve Pratten in the Louth Ambulance Station which could be closed under plans by the service. Picture: Rick Byrne. Buy this photo at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby or by contacting 08444 060910
Under current plans, both Grimsby's ambulance station, in Gilbey Way, and Louth's station, in Windsor Road, would close.
In addition, one level of management is also set to go, which Mr Pratten has revealed will include his role.
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As reported, EMAS has proposed to close many of its stations which it claims "are empty most of the time".
Instead it plans to create 13 new "hubs" acting as garages or a base for paramedics across the East Midlands – Grimsby's nearest hub will be in Elsham.
Alongside this, 131 standby points would be created – one located in each of Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Louth to provide frontline services with hot drinks and toilets when waiting for calls to come in.
Within the proposals, it is stated that "one level of management will go, but we do not anticipate that there will be any redundancies for our paramedic team leaders.
"However, while we will do our best to place all staff affected in the organisation, there is a possibility that we may not be able to do this for some staff in higher bands."
For Mr Pratten, his position will cease to exist, after working in it for the past six years.
Although he says his future is unpredictable at the moment, he wants to reassure the public that these changes are for the best to improve patient care.
He said: "I will still be working within the service but what role I would take on has not been confirmed.
"None of this should be looked on as negative, the whole aim of these changes is to increase the number of frontline staff, improve our response times and improve patient care.
"Bosses are aiming to take out a top-heavy management structure and get us out responding to more calls."
Despite Mr Pratten's positive outlook, members of the public have their concerns over the plans.
At a recent meeting of East Lindsey District Council's Louth Area Committee, a presentation was given over the proposed changes and there was a chance for questions to be put to Mr Pratten and representatives of EMAS including Richard Henderson, assistant director of operation, Gary Spier, estate general manager and Lynn Rutland, service delivery manager.
Many were centred around the risk of delayed response times, the increased travel time staff will incur to get to the new hubs and particularly the distance the hubs are away from Louth and Grimsby.
Mr Pratten said: "Senior management are currently holding public consultations across the East Midlands until Monday, December 17.
"These questions are vital as they will feed into the final plans and could change what is currently proposed.
"A final plan will be drawn up to go in front of the EMAS trust board in January."
On Thursday, October 18, a public consultation will take place at the Memorial Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, at 1pm. Representatives from EMAS will deliver a short presentation followed by time for people to ask questions.
Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for any updates.
Comments
by exeter44
Saturday, October 06 2012, 10:19PM
“I am at a loss to understand why Mr Pratten is so enthusiastic and 'for' the changes if he is about to loose his job.
Perhaps someone in authority could inform us what his redundancy pay off will be.
What the public need to be told are the hard facts. It doesn't matter where the ambulances are located. One assumes that however many there are there would be a fairly even spread across the county. What we need to know is how many there are now, and, how many are proposed. And, we need to know that ALL vehicles are crewed with appropriately qualified staff. I suspect there well might be a reduction in proper paramedics and some vehicles may be crewed by a 'Healthcare Assistant' type grade. We need to know!
I would also like to ask if anyone has taken up the Telegraph offer of buying the picture yet?”
by daisydoo001
Saturday, October 06 2012, 5:05PM
“There is one thing I agree with Mr Pratten, we need to get rid rid of most of the "managers". We already have standby points, how will moving stations further out of town help response times?
Road staff are proud of the help we give our patients but we are doing it under immense pressure with no support from our "managers" the only support we get from them is a big stick mentality. At least our patients appreciate what we do for them.
Staff moral is rock bottom and set to get much worse.”
by smoker
Saturday, October 06 2012, 3:56PM
“The logic behind this tends to be lost on me apart from getting rid of an over heavy management team to cut cost.
Let's take the stated reason for closing Louth and Grimsby ambulance stations. "They are empty most of the time". I suspect this is because the ambulances are out and in use rather than under repair and waiting in the stations. 13 hubs to act as garages and 131 standby points equipped with toilets and hot drink facilities. No mention of the initial cost in setting these up or the likely ongoing costs. I doubt the 13 hubs will be anymore full of ambulances than the stations that they intend to replace.
As Mr Pratten points out, he'll be long gone if it all goes pear shaped.”