We Deserve Better

Last month, the East Midland Ambulance Service (EMAS) confirmed it would implement its controversial 'Being The Best' programme. 65 ambulance stations across the region will be replaced by nine "superhubs", 19 ambulance stations and more than 100 community points over the next five years.

EMAS say that in three to six months from now they will publish details of the proposed community points but we understand these community points will be to provide rest facilities for crews - not bases from which ambulances can respond.

EMAS is the worst performing NHS ambulance trust in the country and the Lincolnshire rural post codes including those in West Lindsey are the worst ranked within the EMAS region (according to the latest available figures for the first half of 2012). DN21 is ranked 144 out of 159 post codes throughout the East Midlands with only 75.28% of life threatening incidents being reached by ambulance/first responder within 19 minutes (against a target of 95%). EMAS have only published figures at the County level for the second half of 2012 and the overall Lincolnshire figures are the worst in the East Midlands. EMAS need to publish detailed response figures for each post code as they have done in the past.

Response times will only be improved by having ambulances in the right places to attend life threatening incidents quickly. EMAS have not said how the new structure will address this basic requirement.

As poor response times are costing lives, East Midlands Region Liberal Democrats have identified improving our ambulance service as a top priority for the whole region. I am therefore happy to work with my Conservative colleagues at Lincolnshire County Council who have already expressed their concern at the poor service.

Chairman of Lincolnshire County Council's Health Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Christine Talbot has said: "I am not convinced the new strategy that is costing £54 million will improve response times - we have not been told the details of how these will be met." The committee has rightly branded EMAS's consultation on the shake-up as flawed.

How many more lives will be lost I wonder? If EMAS cannot perform to the required standard in the rural areas then Lincolnshire County Council should work to put in place a dedicated county ambulance service.

Councillor Reg Shore

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member

Lincolnshire County Council