Basingstoke’s rural residents are waiting longer for ambulances than those in urban areas.
This discovery has been highlighted by Hampshire County Council after a special review of South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) in rural areas, carried out over the past four months.
The difference is being blamed on Ambulances’ effort to meet national target response times, operating in a two tier system.
It was also heard that there is a shortage in qualified paramedics. The review heard evidence from a wide range of people including members of the public, NHS managers and ambulance staff.
Anna McNair Scott, chairman of Hampshire County Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and vice chair of the Joint Review Group, said: “Ambulance services are a vital component of the NHS.”
“They are quite rightly, highly valued by the public.”
“That is why it is essential that the commissioner’s work with the ambulance service to ensure it is better placed to meet the needs of all residents living in the South Central Area.”
“Our review has found that an emphasis on fixed standard response times, regardless of patient outcomes, encourages the ambulance service to concentrate on achieving rapid response times in urban areas that mask under performing in rural ones.”
