New ‘green’ ambulances unusable by paramedics who are too tall or have big feet, NHS trusts reveal after staff voice concerns for drivers’ safety
- Whistleblower stated paramedics with dimension 12 and above toes can not use the Fiats
New eco-friendly ambulances to fulfill greener NHS targets are being parked up throughout the nation as a result of paramedics are too tall or have toes too big to drive them.
The embarrassing gaffe has left half the NHS ambulance trusts in England which purchased tailored Fiat Ducatos to exchange their previous Mercedes automobiles dealing with the costly drawback of how one can off-load them.
But offended paramedics say sufferers’ lives have additionally been put at risk as some staff wait as much as seven hours on their shifts for an ambulance they’ll truly drive.
Last night time, Mark Tilley, deputy chairman of the GMB union’s nationwide ambulance committee, stated: ‘Paramedics shouldn’t want to fret if their toes are too big or their legs are too quick.’
A whistleblower stated paramedics with dimension 12 and above toes can not use the Fiats because the particular bolstered toe-capped boots they put on are too big to maneuver safely from one pedal to the following.
The embarrassing gaffe has left half the NHS ambulance trusts in England which purchased tailored Fiat Ducatos to exchange their previous Mercedes automobiles dealing with the costly drawback of how one can off-load them (File Photo)
Fiat Ducato A&E ambulance. Angry paramedics say sufferers’ lives have additionally been put at risk as some staff wait as much as seven hours on their shifts for an ambulance they’ll truly drive (File Photo)
Paramedics say the brand new automobiles give them the ‘heebie-jeebies’ as they typically have to interrupt pace limits as a part of their jobs. They add the Fiats additionally have much less room for paramedics to face by a affected person’s facet, which might create worse outcomes if that individual is struggling cardiac arrest. Now a minimum of one of many 5 trusts affected has determined to cease utilizing the automobiles fully. In different trusts, paramedics unable to drive the Fiats are caught with solely utilizing the previous Mercedes ambulances. The revelations are in papers launched to The Mail on Sunday beneath Freedom of Information.
Five years in the past the Lord Carter Review really helpful standardising ambulance specs to make them cheaper and extra fuel-efficient. Trusts are beneath stress from ‘Greener NHS’ targets to scale back emissions, with ambulances seen as a big polluter.
The Fiats adjust to UK safety laws and there’s no suggestion they are unsafe on the street.
But one paramedic stated they are ‘detrimental to me doing my finest for my sufferers’, and added: ‘They cannot go safely from the brake to the accelerator.
‘We’ve obtained individuals who are fairly big and tall, who have dimension 14 toes. When they attempt to drive, they can not transfer their foot from one pedal to the opposite due to their boots.’
Last night time, Mark Tilley, deputy chairman of the GMB union’s nationwide ambulance committee, stated: ‘Paramedics shouldn’t want to fret if their toes are too big or their legs are too quick’ (File Photo)
Following concerns raised over the Fiats, final month NHS England expanded the varieties of ambulances trusts should buy.
Last month, South East Coast Ambulance quietly vowed to exchange all of the Fiats in its fleet following staff concerns. Sources stated as many as one in 5 drivers cannot use the Fiats.
Minutes of its board assembly stated: ‘We will change the guide Fiat Ducato DCAs and determine a brand new ambulance design to proceed our fleet alternative.’
East of England Ambulance Trust stated 35 of the 145 staff who underwent ‘ergonomic evaluation’ had been discovered not to have the ability to drive the ambulances.
This evaluation consists of height and physique form, the belief stated.
South Central Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust stated staff discovered unable to make use of the Fiats are caught driving the previous Mercedes ambulances.
Paramedics say the brand new automobiles give them the ‘heebie-jeebies’ as they typically have to interrupt pace limits as a part of their jobs (File Photo)
North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust stated about one per cent of its staff had been discovered unable to drive the automobiles.
The Fiats additionally have a number of levers to regulate the motive force’s seat place, which sources stated will not be possible for paramedics of their fast-paced jobs and the way in which they commonly swap automobiles.
‘The seatbelts on the Fiats have additionally brought about some drivers issues. They cannot get themselves able that is protected and comfy to have the seatbelt not trigger them a distraction,’ the supply added.
A Fiat spokesman stated: ‘If any of the English ambulance authorities have particular questions on their respective automobiles, we are eager to analyze with them.’
An NHS spokesman stated: ‘The safety of NHS staff and sufferers is our precedence and ambulance trusts have established processes in place for staff to boost any concerns.
‘All ambulance trusts have been absolutely concerned within the latest tendering train and can make their very own choices on their fleet based mostly on their particular wants, in keeping with the nationwide car specification.’
