By Jillian Makey
Cambridge Evening News
HUNTINGDON, England — More emergency ambulances should be deployed in the Huntingdon area as part of a big shake-up of the service, town mayor Cllr Colin Hyams has said.
Huntingdon has already received an extra double-staffed ambulance, capable of dealing with more serious cases, but Cllr Hyams believes more are necessary to cater for an increase in population caused by growth.
The East of England Ambulance Service has announced a “turnaround plan” which will involve the recruitment of 82 specialist paramedics, 149 paramedics, 24 emergency medical technicians and 96 emergency care assistants, as well 10 more double-staffed ambulances on top of the 15 already announced, including the one at Huntingdon.
The move follows criticism of delays and service levels by the ambulance service.
Cllr Hyams said: “I think one should be the very minimum and we could do with more than that.”
He said hundreds more homes were in the pipeline for Godmanchester, Brampton, Wyton, Stukeley and Alconbury and traffic congestion was a growing problem, especially over Godmanchester’s historic bridge.
Last October Cllr Hyams was left in agony on the floor of the bathroom at his home in Godmanchester after he collapsed with a back problem and an ambulance was sent from Kempston, near Bedford, to take him the three miles to Hinchingbrooke Hospital.
He said: “It was a farcical situation.
“When you are desperate and in pain you just want to get something done and there is a lack of communication.
“If you were told the ambulance was coming from Bedford you would know how long you would have to put up with it.”
Cllr Hyams, who had become wedged up against the bath with his arm trapped under him, had to wait for half an hour before the ambulance arrived.
He said: “I can’t praise the staff enough they do a fantastic job.”
An ambulance service spokesman said Huntingdon had already received an extra ambulance and that there were five vehicles at the Huntingdon station.
He said a first response group, which sends trained first aiders out to provide initial care in emergencies, was being set up in Huntingdon.
The turnaround plan also involves reducing staff sickness levels, relaunching the emergency medical technician career and management changes.
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