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Paramedic cyclists service withdrawn
CYCLING paramedics have been withdrawn from three Yorkshire cities after a review of services.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service said it was suspending the use of cycling paramedics in Sheffield, Leeds and Hull with staff returning to ambulance and rapid response vehicles.
The use of bicycles was seen as a way of getting paramedics to emergencies in pedestrianised or built-up areas which might otherwise be difficult to reach quickly. The ambulance service has not ruled out their return and the service will remain in York and Harrogate for the time being.
Vince Larvin, Assistant Director of A&E Operations at Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “Our priority is to respond to all emergency calls as quickly as possible and, in view of the growing and changing demand for our 999 service, we are constantly reviewing how we make use of our staff to ensure that our resources are utilised effectively.
“We are currently operating additional rapid response vehicles in the cities instead of the cycle response units to help us meet current demand more closely and ensure our patients receive the best possible care.
“The decision to take these resources out of operation is not a permanent one and shifts in patient demand will see them return as appropriate.”
The Lifecycle service was first introduced in York 10 years ago before being extended to Sheffield, Hull and Leeds. The scheme was launched in Harrogate only three months ago .
Bicycles used by paramedics are specialist mountain bikes equipped with £5,000 of medical equipment, as well as blue flashing lights and sirens.
A spokesman for the health service union Unison said he hoped the new arrangements would be only temporary, but he criticised YAS for not consulting staff or the trade unions before making the changes.
“They are not talking to us and members do not know why this is happening. It is causing confusion and we don’t agree with it,” he said.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
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crystal1
Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 10:36 AMUnder normal circumstances I would support Landscapers comments however the article doesn’t say the scheme is disbanded it says it’s a temporary arrangement and given the situation out there on the streets at the moment I’m sure the ambulance service needs to do this to be more flexible to respond in the best way possible, given that lots of people call for ambulance assistance that don’t need it. Our emergency services are all struggling to cope in this time of diminishing budgets within the public sector, coupled with the current civil unrest, we all need to do our best to support them and help promote the return of the life cycle by making less unnecessary 999 calls.
Landscaper
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 04:02 PMIs this about redeployment of resources? How can patient care be paramount if vehicles cannot get to the patient with the same time response of a cycle responder. Every other major City is aiming to reduce carbon footprints-Yorkshire Ambulance Service seems to promote an increase-why? it is a valuable asset that builds confidence in City centre communities throughout the country yet Yorkshire Ambulance Service disband theirs in favour of more cars? Why? City centre traders and shoppers welcome the cycles and the Paramedics on the bikes are a credit and wonderful ambassadors of the ambulance service. They promote health and wellbeing and offer advice at all times. Crazy decision!
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