Press Release - Alderney to fund an upgraded ambulance service - 21st January 2022

Press Release

Date: 21st January 2022

Issued at 0910 hrs

Alderney to fund an upgraded Ambulance Service

An extra £50,000 has been earmarked to upgrade Alderney's Ambulance Service following an independent report.

The General Services Committee (GSC) agreed the additional money on Tuesday (January 18) after accepting all of the recommendations by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) at an earlier meeting.

The money is allocated in addition to the existing budget of £71,000 previously agreed to meet the operating costs of running the Service and will be used to provide suitable medical and pharmaceutical governance and create two paramedic positions to work with the 11 volunteers.

A number of UK paramedics have already expressed an interest in coming to Alderney on six-month secondments and the first three of six prospective candidates are scheduled to visit the island in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, St John Ambulance Guernsey is providing cover during February following the resignation of paramedic Al McLean.

In addition, agreement in principle has been reached with the Island Medical Centre and the Island's chemist regarding medical and pharmaceutical governance of the Service.

The five members of GSC were joined by the other five States Members for Tuesday's meeting when all agreed that Alderney needs a long-term fit-for-purpose ambulance service that is cost effective for Alderney residents.

The States will now explore the financing options to pay for the upgraded service and will engage with the community to seek the public's views.

GSC's deliberations were put to the volunteers before being made public.

Ends