Hospitals fined for delaying ambulances in Gloucestershire
HOSPITALS in Gloucestershire racked up more than £50,000 of fines last month for holding up ambulances.
A total of 466 emergency vehicles were delayed for more than 20 minutes outside Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal hospitals.
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In 34 cases the vehicle had to wait more than an hour.
The figures represent a dramatic jump from the summer – in June 302 ambulances waited for more than 20 minutes and in August the figure was 376.
Hospital bosses have put the increase down to winter pressures and say there has been a significant improvement in the number of one hour delays.
Andrew Gravells, chairman of the Great Western Ambulance Service's scrutiny committee, said: "All of us want ambulances on the roads responding to calls not waiting outside hospitals.
"The committee which I chair is working with health service bosses to ensure the number of ambulances waiting is reduced."
Penalties mean the hospitals trust is hit with a £95 fine for every ambulance delayed for more than 20 minutes and a further £95 if they have to wait for more than an hour.
The fines will be collected by NHS Gloucestershire at the end of the financial year and given to GWAS, which serves the county.
Evelyn Barker, chief operating officer of the hospitals trust said: "While normal winter pressures have impacted on ambulance delays over the last two months, there continues to be a significant improvement in the number of one-hour delays, which means patients are assessed more quickly."
GWAS spokeswoman Victoria Eld said all hospitals in its region experience surges in demand and current weather conditions mean a busier time than usual.
She added: "This can lead to ambulances waiting longer to transfer patients.
"If our crews report they are experiencing delays we have arrangements in place, including sending an officer to work with emergency department staff."
Chief executive of NHS Gloucestershire Jan Stubbings, said: "The system under which penalties apply for delays is part of a move to encourage improvement."
8 Comments
by anon, chelt
Tuesday, December 21 2010, 7:16AM
“Pointless comments about sacking middle mamagement and bosess don't help. It tends to be more complicated than people think and queing ambulances is not easy option for GWAS and front line staff to deal with. Proper use of the 999 system from the general public would help all ease pressures and let both the trust and GWAS meet their targets. Please only comment if you know what you are talking about not just speculating who is at fault.”
by Henry, Gloucester
Monday, December 20 2010, 3:27PM
“Jekla - I couldn't have put it better myself. We keep hearing about austerity savings etc, most of the wasters are sat on chairs in offices up and down the country - as an ex civil servant i can tell you a thing or two about wasting money. Chiefs accept the accolades and handsome bonuses when things go well, but shirk the responsibility when everything fails. How many Executives do we need to change light bulbs or direct traffic operations in this country for heavens sake? Sack all the upper and middle managements and fund more frontline staff, then we wouldn't have ambulances held up, snow laden roads or failing social services - the list goes on.”
by ken, Cheltenham
Monday, December 20 2010, 12:58PM
“What about the delays GWAS have when their single responders are waiting for an ambulance with two staff on board, to move a patient? Why not send a fully crewed vehicle in the first place instead of a third of their staff sitting with patients?”
by Quedgeley Guy, Quedgeley
Monday, December 20 2010, 11:35AM
“Makework for the Bean Counters meets Jobs for the Boys!
I second Jela's comments. Third and Fourth it too!”
by jekla, cheltenham
Monday, December 20 2010, 10:50AM
“What an exercise in futility. It's monopoly money being moved around from one group of civil servants to another.
If you reduce the amount of cash available to the hospital and give it to the ambulance service, it's the hospital patient that suffers. And the ambulance service managed ok without the extra cash. So it's money wasted.
Don't take the money from the hospital budget - fine the Chief Executive and senior managers personally! And if that doesn't work, sack them. That's what would happen in the private sector.”
by jekla, cheltenham
Monday, December 20 2010, 10:49AM
“What an exercise in futility. It's monopoly money being moved around from one group of civil servants to another.
If you reduce the amount of cash available to the hospital and give it to the ambulance service, it's the hospital patient that suffers. And the ambulance service managed ok without the extra cash. So it's money wasted.
Don't take the money from the hospital budget - fine the Chief Executive and senior managers personally! And if that doesn't work, sack them. That's what would happen in the private sector.”
by jekla, cheltenham
Monday, December 20 2010, 10:48AM
“What an exercise in futility. It's monopoly money being moved around from one group of civil servants to another.
If you reduce the amount of cash available to the hospital and give it to the ambulance service, it's the hospital patient that suffers. And the ambulance service managed ok without the extra cash. So it's money wasted.
Don't take the money from the hospital budget - fine the Chief Executive and senior managers personally! And if that doesn't work, sack them. That's what would happen in the private sector.”
by Value for Money, Cheltenham
Monday, December 20 2010, 10:39AM
“So in the bigger picture, the NHS is paying some one to measure and send fines to themselves?
This has been reported before by TIG and the ridiculous situation has got to stop - NOW!
Please Mr Cameron, can I also have a non job making a mint for the sake of nothing?”