Ambulance workers to decide on strike action
ANGRY ambulance workers could stage a strike over patient safety and the "de-recognition" of Unite.
The union announced yesterday it plans to begin the legal process of balloting its 450 paramedic and ambulance staff workers at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust for strike action.
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Concerns: Unite has announced plans to begin balloting staff members at Yorkshire Ambulance Service for strike action, after it was 'de-recognised'.
The dispute is over the trust's decision last week to "de-recognise" Unite.
Unite claims this is so managers can silence the union from raising patient safety concerns.
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Unite's regional officer Terry Cunliffe said: "I can confirm that Unite has begun the legal process to hold an industrial action ballot over the trust's unilateral decision to de-recognise Unite.
"The management is trying to silence Unite after it raised legitimate concerns over patient safety that could flow from the shake-up of ambulance services in the next five years.
"The trust's behaviour is mind- boggling given last week's Francis report, which placed great emphasis on whistle-blowing and 'a duty of candour'.
"Whatever the outcome of the ballot, our members will always put patient safety first."
The union is angered by the trust's decision to introduce emergency care assistants (ECAs) to work alongside trained paramedics. The ECA staff are given six weeks' training, compared with a paramedic's two-year degree course.
Unite says this introduction has resulted in managers sending "unqualified" staff to emergencies with, in some cases, other ECAs or unqualified assistant practitioners.
The union also claims responses to 999 calls have become a postcode lottery.
On Saturday, the Mail spoke to a paramedic who claimed, on occasions, ECAs have been paired with other less-skilled workers.
The paramedic, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "There are assistant practitioners, who know basic first aid, and emergency care assistants, who only have six weeks' training.
"They are supposed to be paired with much more qualified paramedics and emergency medical technicians. But, on occasions, the two less qualified roles have been paired together.
"It is giving people who call 999 a false impression.
"They think they are getting a paramedic who has the proper training and skills.
"This is a dangerous, time-bomb situation."
The introduction of ECAs forms part of plans by the trust to save £46m over the next five years.
Unite says the trust has more than 300 staff who will be demoted and de-skilled as a result of the plans being introduced and the majority of these workers will have little or no opportunity for further training for at least seven years.
Although Unite has been de-recognised, the trust has said it will continue to work with Unison and that Unite members can still be represented on individual matters.
David Whiting, chief executive of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: "We carefully reflected upon this difficult matter before advising Unite of our decision to de-recognise them.
"Unfortunately, the working relationship with Unite remains disappointing and we have not received a constructive contribution to the difficult decisions that the trust has been required to make for the future, particularly as we seek to maintain high-quality care for patients against the realities of the tough economic climate.
"I would like to reassure members of the public that all our decisions are focused on continuing to deliver a high-quality and responsive service to patients and this will always remain our top priority."
A spokesman said that, with regards to ECAs, support can be requested, should the need arise.
4 Comments
by lner-steam
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 12:09PM
“here we go again another set of pen pushers trying to silence the rights of the many,hull should get behind there ambulance staff,they do so much good they have the right to represented by a union or are we going back to the thatcher years were the unions were trammpled on ,come on britian we dont want that ,lets stand by our unions and protect them”
by fluffystuff
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 4:43PM
“It's about time that the public stood behind our health service workers and supported them instead of critisising them for wanting to make the public safer, afterall it wasn't too long ago when the fire service went on strike for better pay that all and sundry were hooting their car horns in support. While it's true that we all may need an ambulance from time to time and we want them to attend in a timely manner, don't we also want someone to attend who has the necessary skills we need? ECA's certainly have their place within the ambulance service, however they should not put in the position of attending a potentially seriously ill patient without the proper support from a more qualified colleague. YAS should be utterly ashamed of themselves for the treatment of their staff, and putting the almighty £ before the wellbeing of their patients. Oh and while we're on the subject of YAS 'putting patients first' can I just ask why they deem it acceptable to send paramedics from the Hull area over to Leeds/Bradford/Sheffield regardless of time of day/requirement in the area, potentially leaving Hull and East Yorkshire less than covered?”
by Morev
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 1:00PM
“Yorkshire Ambulance Service are refusing to negotiate with Ambulance workers. How else are 450 Paramedics supposed to negotiate other than through a representative body, as 450 individuals? It is the de-recognition of the organisation who talks for them that is creating the problem. As usual a large Employer,Yorkshire Ambulance Service, have found a way of turning the Public against people who do not agree with the changes they wish to impose to the detriment of, and the subsequent risks to you, me, our relatives and friends, and the Public in general.
Unite, the Union, is a national registered trades union, affiliated to the Trades Union Congress. What right does Yorkshire Ambulance Service have to take away the rights of Members by telling them they will not recognise their Union. Y.A.S should remember THEY are a Public Body and as such are answerable to the Public in General. Bringing operational matters, that are a cause for concern, out in the open and highlighting the use of unqualified staff is obviously something they wish to remain secret. The Public should be very worried about their attitude as they clearly have something to hide. Some people are anti-union by default but what should be remembered is that sometimes problems are highlighted by these Organisations who not only represent their Members but also through them can be the voice of the Public. Ultimately it will affect all of us as users of the Ambulance Service.
The recent scandal of care in some Hospitals where Patients have been so badly treated, and died, has shown that there is a need for Health Service workers to speak up on our behalf. If you feel strongly about these issues, and want your loved ones to receive proper Professional care, support the Ambulance Paramedics and let them have their voice. Remember, these are the first people who you will probably have contact with in situations that can often have a life or death outcome. The possibility is that unqualified/unskilled staff attending an incident will make that incident come within Nationally recognised and acceptable response times. However, the Staff attending may not be capable of giving the necessary treatment through lack of Personal skills, Qualifications and appropriate equipment. Let's not leave it too late in this case.”
by susieb10
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 9:42AM
“Don't know about saving money I can see more law suits coming their way.”