Chris Loder MP led a Westminster Hall debate today to ask the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) about the process employed when why South Western Ambulance Service has not been able to have greater military support than received last year given the difficult issues with ambulance response times experienced in West Dorset.
South Western Ambulance Service applied for personnel support from the armed forces in July 2021, but only ended up receiving 18 soldiers for a few weeks to help as logistics drivers even though they had requested assistance in multiple areas.
Chris Loder MP sought today to ask why the government had watered down the request.
He said, ‘despite the extraordinary work of South Western Ambulance Service, who continue to do everything they can even with increased pressures on their staff, delays for people getting help are being seen in West Dorset and across the country. We need to make sure that this difficulty is not experienced again.’
Chris asked the Government to reconsider the process of MACA requests to make sure that, in the future, the proper assistance is given, including to formalise the link and supporting relationship with the St John Ambulance.
