By Emily Cleland
Gloucestershire Echo
GLOUCESTERSHIRE, England — Hospitals in Gloucestershire racked up more than £50,000 of fines last month for holding up ambulances.
A total of 466 emergency vehicles were delayed for more than 20 minutes outside Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal hospitals.
In 34 cases the vehicle had to wait more than an hour.
The figures represent a dramatic jump from the summer - in June 302 ambulances waited for more than 20 minutes and in August the figure was 376.
Hospital bosses have put the increase down to winter pressures and say there has been a significant improvement in the number of one hour delays.
Andrew Gravells, chairman of the Great Western Ambulance Service’s scrutiny committee, said: “All of us want ambulances on the roads responding to calls not waiting outside hospitals.
“The committee which I chair is working with health service bosses to ensure the number of ambulances waiting is reduced.”
Penalties mean the hospitals trust is hit with a £95 fine for every ambulance delayed for more than 20 minutes and a further £95 if they have to wait for more than an hour.
The fines will be collected by NHS Gloucestershire at the end of the financial year and given to GWAS, which serves the county.
Evelyn Barker, chief operating officer of the hospitals trust said: “While normal winter pressures have impacted on ambulance delays over the last two months, there continues to be a significant improvement in the number of one-hour delays, which means patients are assessed more quickly.”
GWAS spokeswoman Victoria Eld said all hospitals in its region experience surges in demand and current weather conditions mean a busier time than usual.
She added: “This can lead to ambulances waiting longer to transfer patients.
“If our crews report they are experiencing delays we have arrangements in place, including sending an officer to work with emergency department staff.”
Chief executive of NHS Gloucestershire Jan Stubbings, said: “The system under which penalties apply for delays is part of a move to encourage improvement.”
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