Agenda item

This report introduces representatives of Yorkshire Ambulance Service, who will be providing an update on changes to ambulance services affecting the City of York area.

Members received a report which introduced a presentation from representatives of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service regarding changes to the service affecting the City of York area.

On 1 July 2006, the Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (TENYAS) had become part of the reconfigured Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS).  In January 2007, YAS had announced the intended closure of the current York Ambulance Station at Dundas Street, Hungate, and its replacement by alternative services.  The Council required vacant possession of the Hungate premises by March 2008, as part of its office accommodation project, and were working with YAS to help them find a suitable new site.

The presentation, by Ian Walton, Director of Governance, and Bob Sunley, Project Manager, outlined the proposals to change from a ‘Traditional’ to a ‘Hub and Spoke’ model of operation.  The Hub would be a central depot close to the hospital, while the spokes would be strategically placed temporary premises (portable cabins) providing 5-star standby facilities for ambulance crews. This would allow for the maximum use of the Trust’s investment programme and improve the emergency response to calls from the public, as well as providing other service improvements. The option adopted by the Trust was to introduce a model featuring one Hub and three spokes, including a make ready team and an Emergency Planning Centre. The Trust did not consider the scheme to be a significant change in service provision, but recognised the need for consultation at appropriate stages in the development.

A handout detailing the information provided in the presentation was circulated to Members.  In response to Members’ questions, the YAS representatives confirmed that:

• Administrative control would remain at the Shipton Road site.
• The spoke sites, which had not yet been identified, would measure about 200 square metres, including space for vehicles to park and turn.
• The changes would not lead to a reduction in the number of ambulance crews, nor would they disadvantage any area of York.
• Ambulances would be deep cleaned and re-stocked at the Hub, then cleaned between each job.  This system was being piloted in Hull.
• Current performance on call response rates was slightly lower than under TENYAS due to the inclusion of West Yorkshire services within YAS. The Trust was working with PCTs to maintain local performance.
• It was predicted that the changes would increase performance rates on Category A calls from 68.27% to 75.5%.
• A timetable for the plan was expected to be agreed within the next few weeks.
• It was the Trust’s intention to carry out some consultation with local residents, in addition to the consultation that would be required as part of the planning process for the development of the new sites.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the information provided by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service be noted.

                        (ii)        That the changes will not require a statutory consultation, but that consultation via the ward committees will be an adequate method of informing the public, in addition to any further consultation that YAS decides to carry out.

REASON:      It is accepted that the reconfiguration does not amount to a significant change to service provision requiring a statutory consultation; however, it is essential that local people are kept informed as the changes progress.

                        (iii)       That the YAS representatives be asked to return to a future meeting, to provide further details of the operation of the reconfigured service and its interface with this Committee.

REASON:      In order to review performance following the changes and ensure that the service is being properly delivered.