AMBULANCE CHANGES MUST BE MADE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS - LAMB

11.44.05am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 11th Dec 2007

Commenting on fears that plans to answer more emergency calls with one-person ambulance crews could put patients at risk, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said: "Measured use of solo-responder ambulances is clearly a sensible approach to ensure a quick reaction in some situations, but it cannot be done on the cheap and must not be used simply to cut costs or hit targets."

"There are also serious concerns that tighter targets on response times could distort priorities, with trusts focusing on urban areas and neglecting rural ones.

"We have to be sure that any changes to the service are made for good, rational reasons, not simply because ambulance trusts are being stretched financially."