The Press Association
LONDON — London Ambulance Service has announced plans to axe 890 jobs over the next five years to make savings of £53 million.
The service said most of the reductions would come from natural wastage and would include 560 frontline positions.
Union leaders attacked the move and one campaign group said it would mean “total carnage” for the capital’s ambulance service.
The reduction represents almost a fifth of the service’s 5,000 staff and will fuel the controversy over the Government’s controversial health reforms.
Chief executive Peter Bradley said: “Unfortunately we are not immune to the financial pressures facing the NHS. This means all areas of our business will face closer scrutiny as we look for ways to make savings while improving the care we give to patients.
“But with nearly 80% of our budget spent on staff costs it would be impossible to make the savings required without removing posts.”
LAS said it expected to reduce the number of frontline posts - those responsible for direct patient care - by 560, with a further 330 posts removed from management and support services. Compulsory redundancies will be avoided wherever possible, it said.
Mr Bradley continued: “We are committed to managing these reductions so that the impact on staff is minimised and at the same time creating an improved and efficient service for patients.”
Unison’s regional organiser, Phil Thompson, said: “This is being forced on the service by the Government. These cuts are so deep they may not heal. If allowed to be carried out they will put at risk the many Londoners who rely on the LAS every day. With demand escalating and nearly 1,000 fewer staff no one can now be sure of a safe service.”
Geoff Martin, chairman of London Health Emergency, said: “These cuts will mean total carnage right at the heart of London’s ambulance service. There is no question that lives will be put at risk as people dial 999 for an ambulance that just isn’t there. This is the Con-Dem health cuts in the raw.”
Copyright 2011 The Press Association Limited
All Rights Reserved