Hundreds of NHS ambulance staff waiting for driver training despite deadly delays

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Hundreds of NHS ambulance staff across the country are waiting to complete essential driver training, new data from the Liberal Democrats has shown. This is despite dangerous delays to response times and a shortage of ambulance drivers. 

Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper, has accused the Conservatives of being “asleep at the wheel”. 

The Liberal Democrats submitted a Freedom of Information request to NHS ambulance Trusts across England, asking how many staff are currently waiting to complete C1 and Blue Light driving courses. 

Ambulance drivers are required to complete C1 training to drive a vehicle up to 7.5 tonnes - these courses can cost around £1,000 and paramedics are required to pay for it themselves in most cases.

Paramedics also do a Blue Light training course which is considered the gold standard for emergency response drivers.

The data shows that more than 700 NHS staff across the country are currently waiting to complete a C1 driving course. 630 staff are on the waiting list to complete a Blue Light driving course.

The FOI revealed the South East Coast Ambulance Trust also has a backlog of 277 staff waiting to complete a C1 driving course -  the highest of anywhere in the country. 

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to address the backlog by bringing forward a plan to recruit more specialist driving instructors and assessors, as well as covering the cost of ambulance driver training.

Earlier this year, the Lib Dems revealed that 43,000 people died before an ambulance reached them. Recent figures have also shown almost 500 NHS patients suffered permanent or long-term harm due to emergency response delays. 

Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP, said: 

“When there is a real shortage of ambulance drivers and patients suffering in pain and distress, it is staggering that the Government has not tackled the backlog of NHS paramedics waiting for vital training. 

“This is adding serious pressure on our frontline emergency workers.   

“The Conservatives are asleep at the wheel, while patients struggle to access emergency treatment. Ministers need to get a grip on the situation, starting by bringing forward a plan to recruit more specialist driving instructors and assessors, as well as covering the cost of ambulance driver training so that paramedics can jump into action as soon as they graduate.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The story was first reported by the Telegraph here.

1. Text of the FOI 

Dear Sir/Madam,

Hope you're well. Please could I request the following information Under the Freedom of Information Act about your NHS Trust:

1. The number of your staff currently waiting to complete their C1 driving course.

2. The number of your staff currently waiting to complete their Blue Light driving course.

3. The total number of staff at your trust.

4. The total number of fully qualified paramedics at your trust.

Please could you provide this information by email, preferably in a spreadsheet.

If it is not possible to provide the information requested due to the information exceeding the cost of compliance limits identified in Section 12, please provide advice and assistance, under the Section 16 obligations of the Act, as to how I can refine my request.

2.  The FOI results are as follows: