GREAT WESTERN AMBULANCE TRUST PERFORMANCE & FUTURE UNDER DEBATE AT COUNCIL MEETING

3.51.00pm GMT Mon 19th Nov 2007

The full council meeting on Wednesday at Shire Hall will consider the performance of the Great Western Ambulance Trust in a debate led by the Liberal Democrat councillors.

The Lib Dem councillors have submitted a motion following the recent report which covered the performance of the Great Western Ambulance Trust. The report raised a number of performance issues. Of great concern to members of the council are the difficulties Gloucestershire faces over ambulance response times which were highlighted in the report.

Cllr Deryck Nash, Lib Dem spokesperson for Adult Services said: "This debate is necessary to raise some of the issues that were highlighted in the recent report on Great Western Ambulance Trust performance. People in Gloucestershire need to be confident that the ambulance service is being run as effectively as people need. The staff who provide the emergency response do a fantastic job, the problems appear to be centred on the management and organisation of the service. The county council must look at working with the Ambulance Trust to increase the effectiveness of the service and especially to consider the best ways to improve response times."

The motion to be debated by Gloucestershire County Council is:

Proposed by Cllr Deryck Nash

Seconded by Cllr Mike Skinner

"That Council acknowledges the report of the recent review of the Great Western Ambulance Trust carried out in July 2007. That Council expresses its deep concern about the failing performance of the Trust, particularly with respect to ambulance response times and the Trust's inability to consistently deliver the 8 minute Category A target. That where possible Council will work with the Great Western Ambulance Trust to improve the performance of this vital emergency service for the people of Gloucestershire."