Ambulance cuts denied by minister

The health minister has denied there are any plans to reduce funding for the Ambulance Service.

It was claimed on Tuesday that some ambulances would be replaced by what have been dubbed "rapid response vehicles".

But Michael McGimpsey said there will be an extra £3.8m put in after efficiency savings are made.

"This will enable the service to modernise and to respond more quickly to emergency calls," he said.

"In addition further investment of £5m in the ambulance fleet and equipment will permit the replacement of around 20 vehicles per year."

Michael McGimpsey said this year would see increased numbers of rapid response vehicles and investment in the service but acknowledged efforts to produce efficiency savings.

It is understood that managers in the service aim to save £8.3m during the next three years.

Lily Kerr from health union Unison said: "It is quite clearly a cut dressed up as an innovation.

"Saying it will be better for the service is like smoke and mirrors."