Ambulance suspensions discussed

Unison union leaders are to meet staff from West Midlands Ambulance Service after three workers were suspended over information given to the BBC.

Control room logs suggested ambulances from Shropshire were being sent to help in Birmingham and the Black Country.

The service has been investigating a possible Data Protection Act breach.

The Unison meeting is to be held on Tuesday evening. Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczinsky has also raised concerns about the suspensions.

He said his meeting with the service was "open and frank".

The issue is that people have to do it within the law Murray MacGregor, West Midlands Ambulance Service

He described a discussion with West Midlands Ambulance Service chief executive, Anthony Marsh, as "very helpful" and said it had led to a greater understanding of the situation on his part.

Mr Kawczinsky has previously said it was "absolutely scandalous" that people "are being intimidated" because those in frontline services with concerns about safety issues should be allowed to speak out.

He said on Tuesday: "I understand that rules have to be followed, but... we live in a democracy.

"I want to make sure that people.. do not feel threatened and intimidated to let their concerns (be) known."

'Duty to protect'

The ambulance service has previously said it was concerned that patient confidentiality had been broken by the leak.

Spokesman Murray MacGregor said on Tuesday: "Getting information out, as Mr Kawczinsky said, is quite right. The trust has no problem with that.

"We're very happy to discuss things. The issue is that people have to do it within the law and that's the issue the trust has taken action on.

"It's about the law. It's not about an ambulance policy.

"That law is the Data Protection Act and the trust has a duty to protect patients (and) other callers to the ambulance service that their information is not leaked to the media."