Lib Dems demand ‘urgent’ inquiry into ambulance crisis

The new Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire Helen Morgan has called for an inquiry into England’s ambulance crisis.

Ms Morgan and the Lib Dems’ Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper have written to the Health Secretary Sajid Javid demanding an urgent review which they say leaves thousands in Shropshire waiting too long for emergency treatment.

The letter calls for a Care Quality Commission review into England’s ambulance services, with all ambulance services across the country now at the highest level REAP level of 4 meaning that ambulance services are under ‘Extreme Pressure’.

Javid told Sky News this afternoon that around six NHS trusts had declared critical incidents but that the situation was “fast moving” and could worsen.

The Times reported today that Covid-related absences at the trust have surged by 80 per cent over the past six days, with more than 260 staff being off due to the virus on Monday.

They also reported that people working on emergency phone lines for the North East Ambulance Service Foundation Trust are being instructed to “consider asking the patient to be transported by friends or family” or call a taxi if an ambulance is urgently needed.

In light of the news Ms Cooper MP said: “The idea that someone suffering a stroke or heart attack should or even could find a friend, family member or neighbour to drive them to A&E because an ambulance isn’t available is appalling.

“It’s frankly shocking that it has come to this. Make no mistake that this is the result of an incompetent Conservative Government which has completely failed to get a handle on Omicron and which has run our health services into the ground for years and years.

“It is clear the Government must direct more funding into ambulance services in the long-run, but in the here and now Ministers must stop burying their heads in the sand and thrash out a rescue plan to address this NHS staffing crisis.

“The Health Secretary must make a statement tomorrow and come clean on the magnitude of the crisis facing our ambulances, hospitals and emergency care.”