Are one-person ambulance crews a good thing? Ambulance bosses in the North East have announced they are going to use more of their smaller emergency vehicles staffed by just one medic in a bid to cut the time it takes to get to patients. But could it be a risk to workers? Reporters JANE PICKEN and PAUL McMILLAN hear the pros and cons of the move.

Byline: Reporters JANE PICKEN and PAUL McMILLAN

YES

IT'S worth pointing out solo-response cars are not new to our services and we've always used them successfully, but now we're intending to have more of them.

We've got to meet target response times, which are changing from eight minutes from the point at which a caller gives details to eight minutes from the point at which the control room first gets the call.

We believe the solo-response cars will be able to get there quicker than conventional ambulances with two members of staff.

But if a crewed vehicle is closer, they will always be first on the scene without a doubt.

They will also be called to life-threatening situations as well as a solo responder, as the smaller car might get there quicker and be able to start resuscitation.

The solo responder, which has a paramedic on board, will be sent as the only vehicle to non-life-threatening situations. Once they are there, they will assess what treatment a patient needs and whether a crewed vehicle is needed.

Solo responder vehicles have life-saving equipment on board such as defibrillators, but they won't carry anything used to remove a patient such as a spinal board.

But if someone has, for example, sprained their ankle, there is no reason why they can't get in the car and be taken to hospital by the solo responder rather than calling for an ambulance. In terms of safety concerns, we've always had ways of keeping staff safe.

We know certain situations are going to be high risk, such as a pub or a club on a Friday night, so we would never just send a solo responder there.

If it's not a risk situation, control room staff are trained to get as much information about the situation as possible and then pass it all on to the solo responder.

And if it looks dangerous when they get there, we will completely support that member of staff in their decision to lock the car doors and drive away until the police arrive. Staff are also trained in diffusing a situation.

The changes will come into force in April and to prepare for the increased number of solo responders, we're bringing in 100 new members of staff - 36 of which will be working in the cars.

NO

THE NEAS have never consulted us over increasing solo-response vehicles, they have just told us they will be doing it.

They say rapid response vehicles can get there before emergency response vehicles, but we are not sure that is the case.

If it's a one-person crew and they are asked to assess whether someone needs to go to hospital they are vulnerable for a number of reasons.

If they decide a person does need to go to hospital they are driving the vehicle which is taking the patient.

They are also leaving themselves open to attack from someone who could have a go if only one crew member comes out.

The ambulance service has said they will continue to employ emergency vehicles.

We hope that's the case, but we are not sure whether that is going to happen or the one-person crew will first determine whether that person needs hospital treatment.

I am just worried we are putting safety at risk by saying one person is going to determine whether a person needs to go to hospital or not.

What we have found is there are a number of complaints made about paramedics.

The staff could be leaving themselves open for further complaints through this. I understand the service is under pressure to meet response targets, but the ordinary person knows if you see an emergency vehicle with lights flashing you let it past.

We will be looking to get some reassurances about how many one-man crews they are planning to get on the roads and whether we are going to get some reassurances that emergency vehicles will still be dispatched.

What I don't want, and what I fear will happen, is that emergency vehicles won't be dispatched and it will be left to these one-man vehicles to deal with patients.

CAPTION(S):

Paul Liversidge, director of ambulance operations for the North East Ambulance Service; Paul Summers, Unison's branch representative for the North East Ambulance Service: