IT’S true that billions more pounds are being poured into our beloved NHS.
But, spiralling costs and greater life expectancy are placing the system under pressure and nowhere is this more evident than in the ambulance service.
I pay tribute to the professional and dedicated men and women who serve in it, but they’re stretched and we need to take this problem seriously.
One aggravating factor is the sheer number of 999 calls that are made.
Last year that figure for England was a staggering 10.8 million, 400,000 more than the previous year.
Here in the south west, which includes Dorset, there was an increase of 11 per cent.
At the same time, the Trust has had to make efficiency savings, which haven’t made it any easier to meet emergency response times.
Problems are exacerbated by the fact that ambulance crews have to operate over a vast, rural area with a poor road network.
In a speech in the Commons this week, I also drew attention to targets, which have a place, but can so often lead to unintended consequences.
For example, if patients are not handed over to emergency departments within 30 minutes the ambulance service can be fined.
I understand the incentive, but all too often the hospitals have no way of freeing up the beds.
Meanwhile, the ambulance queues outside A&E grow.
Last year, in the south west alone, ambulances waited for 5,000 hours each month, and these figures are by no means the worst.
It’s a terrible waste of resources and demoralizing for the crews, quite apart from the poor patient and, of course, their family and friends.
To be honest, I do not have an easy answer, but if more investment in people and ambulances is needed, so be it.