Agenda item

To consider the report from the London Ambulance Service.

Cllr Derek Levy introduced the item stating that it was not necessarily to discuss the report provided within the agenda pack, but more to look at the closure of ambulance stations and the introduction of hubs.  It was particularly important to think about the public’s perception of this change.

Peter Rhodes, Assistance Director of Operations for North West and South West London, was in attendance to provide a detailed update. 

1. Covid-19 had caused a significant impact on the start and finish locations of ambulances.

2. There were currently 3 LAS stations covering the borough. The station in Ponders End was no longer fit for purpose and was used at a standby station.  LAS no longer operate from the Bounds Green station.

3. The broader vision (5-10 years) was to consolidate current stations into larger, more fit for purpose stations. A great deal of work would be carried out before any changes happen; a clear strategy was in place.  It was unclear when the changes would be implemented but it was not imminent.

4. The borough is long and narrow, and the hospital is not ideally located.  Ambulances are usually dispatched from hospitals, including Barnet and North Middlesex. Patients are then taken to the most appropriate hospital which is normally their closest and not based on where the ambulance has come from.  This is subject to no long queues in which case they will be taken to another.  More serious cases will be sent to hospitals such as the Royal Free and UCLH.

In response, panel members commented as follows:

1. Cllr Christine Hamilton asked how the LAS had been coping and what help was needed.  Peter Rhodes responded stating that the Covid-19 waves had been challenging.  Since lockdown eased, 999 calls were extremely high at around 350-400 per hour. LAS were meeting the Category 1 target of 7 minutes however Category 2 response times were much longer than the 20-minute target.  The answer would be more ambulances however there were no vehicles or staff available.

2. Cllr Kate Anolue queried the impact on staff when patients were delayed and getting increasingly ill while on the ambulance.  Peter Rhodes stated that fortunately this had not happened often in the area however an experienced clinician was always available.  The main reason for delays was ambulances in the wrong places, for example out of area.

3. Cllr Alessandro Georgiou stated that residents had raised concerns that the 111 service caused issues for ambulances due to 111 staff not being medically trained.  Peter Rhodes advised that 111 and 999 impact each other and it was often difficult to triage over the phone, however the services work together to find the right pathway.  A clinician should review all ambulance dispatch requests before the ambulance is sent. 

4. Cllr Alessandro Georgiou asked if staff had been affected by repeated Covid-19 infections.  Peter said yes but the vaccination programme had helped.  The effects of isolation rules had impacted more as staff were unavailable to work.  It had been a very stressful time, particularity the first wave, with some staff being psychologically affected.

5. Cllr Derek Levy asked for Peter’s opinion on the proposed LAS changes.  Peter responded stating he felt it would enhance it.  Deborah McBeal added that reconfigurations could be quite hard, but evidence suggests better outcomes for patients.

6. Cllr Chris Dey asked how road blockages and LTNs affected ambulances.  Peter stated it does impact them causing some delays.

7. Deborah McBeal highlighted that the LAS worked hard to treat patients at scene/home to avoid conveyances to hospital.

8. The panel agreed that the perception of LAS was different to the reality.

Peter Rhodes was thanked for his attendance and input.