I am writing concerning the recent article regarding the unfortunate death of Hadyn Boyes-Weston, and the effects of fatigue on ambulance staff (July 31).

What is not mentioned are the root causes of fatigue. As well as responding to an increasing number of calls, many hours (and miles) are spent travelling between stand-by points (porta-cabins), often passing an ambulance or response car being sent to replace you and you them.

Increased travel time is also caused by the down-grading of local hospitals and centralising services such as A&E, surgery or cardiac services. Throw into the pot the poorly implemented 111 service that actually increased the number of ambulance calls rather than reduced it, and it is clear that staff face an unsustainable work rate regardless of the length of the shift.

Shorter hours would have no impact on the regularity of crews finishing their shift late, and would result in crews spending more days per week on duty. Those with children would therefore face increased child care costs. Not very family-friendly.

In the report, it states that the service was “not aware of any other ambulance services looking at similar changes to shifts”.

Odd. At a recent meeting to discuss proposed rota changes, a private consultancy group was mentioned by management representatives. This company draws up rotas for emergency services, looking at resources available and the needs of the client. They had previous experience with the Welsh Ambulance Service, among others. What was not mentioned was the recent three month improvement notice served by Health Minister Mark Drakeford after that ambulance service failed to meet response standards several months in a row.

So that rota worked well then.

Perhaps South Central Ambulance Service find it difficult to keep track of the activity of all the private companies they use. More than any other service in the UK.

The “extensive consultation with staff...which is fair to our staff and one that protects their welfare” is somewhere between laughable and insulting.

At the same meeting, it was revealed by managers that the introduction of a relief period had been decided and was not for negotiation. This would mean a period in the work pattern whereby staff would be expected to work from any station regardless of commuting distance or time. From previous experience this has invariably been night shifts over a weekend period.

Not very family friendly, and not doing much to reduce fatigue.

The rota will be implemented and the box for “staff consultation” will be ticked.

To qualify my statements, I am a paramedic and resigned from SCAS earlier this year having joined what was then Oxfordshire Ambulance in 1993.

Neil Rushton, Roper Road, Upper Heyford

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