Rural patients 'second class'

Rural patients 'second class'

The ambulance trust covers a large rural area

Serious concerns have been raised over 999 ambulance cover remote parts of Yorkshire and the North East.

A report by the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) into the Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (TENYAS) says the service is focusing on towns and cities to the detriment of patients in remoter parts of the region.

And the way senior managers at the service work has been criticised in the report which points out their responsibilities are split across both TENYAS and the West Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

Concerns raised in the report include ambulances not being checked regularly to make sure they have the right equipment or drugs on board and a lack of training.

Response times

But the trust's efforts to improve response times with initiatives such as the Yorlife Community Response Team and the mobile doctor scheme have been acknowledged, but they "lack direction and planning."

Peter Homa, the Commission for Health Improvement's chief executive said: "The trust serves a large and challenging area.

Fair service

He adds: "It must ensure that it is delivering a fair service to all patients, no matter where they are located."

Chairman TENYAS David Taylor said: "The findings hold few surprises and are broadly in line with our own perceptions.

He added: "We are particularly pleased to note the recognition by CHI and the public, concerning staff commitment in caring for patients and in treating them with dignity and respect."