Sunday People

IT’S A COP-OUT

Police have to ferry patients

- By Martyn Halle

BRITAIN’S worst-performing ambulance trust is asking the police to drive the sick and injured to hospital.

Officers in Cambridges­hire have had to take people to A&E because of the chronic shortage of paramedic crews, the county’s Police and Crime Commission­er has confirmed.

East of England Ambulance Service Trust is cracking under huge strain on its resources, accusation­s of bad management and shocking waiting times.

It has already revealed a controvers­ial plan for patients to share ambulances and in many cases relatives frustrated by long delays have resorted to taking patients in their own vehicles.

Now police are also stepping in to fill the gap by ferrying patients in patrol cars rather than make them wait for hours.

Commission­er Jason Ablewhite said: “Having been out with officers and seen examples, I worry that officers are placing themselves at risk by transporti­ng people to A&E in the back of police cars. Sometimes this would seem the most sensible approach, if given advice that an ambulance will take three to four hours. However, the responsibi­lity for this lies with the ambulance service.”

An EEAST spokesman said: “We always regret any distress caused to patients by waiting.

“If the patients or their family have any concerns about their wait, we would encourage them to contact us.”

Last month the trust’s £147,000 boss Robert Morton, 54, announced he was quitting after fierce criticism and demands for a change of leadership.

 ??  ?? SHORTAGE: East of England ambulance
SHORTAGE: East of England ambulance

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom