More staff and ambulances as 999 calls soar

OLDHAM will get an extra ambulance and a new rapid response vehicle as the number of 999 calls continues to soar.

The announcement follows the most challenging year in the North-West Ambulance Trust’s history, in which it saw increases of 8.1 per cent in 999 calls and 11 per cent for the most serious and life-threatening red cetegory calls.

The staff boost follows talks between the trust and local clinical commissioning group. The trust predicts growth and plans ahead, but the current rise - repeated nationally - was beyond its expectations.

Derek Cartwright, the trust’s director of operations, said: “Based on these figures, talks were held with commissioners, who fully understood the challenge. Since our establishment as a trust we have seen a growth of about 2 per cent a year.”

Commissioners approved funds for around 60 new ambulances, rapid response vehicles and emergency vehicles for community-based paramedics across the region. More than 400 additional frontline staff will also be recruited.

Mr Cartwright added: “This is a fantastic boost for the trust and for the staff who have been working extremely hard to cope with the additional demand.”