Ambulance dispute: Time for Health Secretary to take personal responsibility

Scottish Conservatives are calling on the Health Secretary to take personal responsibility and get involved in the dispute between the Scottish Ambulance Service and unions over tea breaks and disturbed meal payments.

Murdo Fraser MSP, Scottish Conservative Health Spokesperson, said:

"The rejection of a deal now means the SNP Government cannot sit on the sidelines any longer. Alex Salmond and his SNP Ministers have been hoping that if they shut their eyes and pretend it isn't happening, it will all go away. This issue is too important for them to do that, particularly as figures revealed to us today show that only 21% of eligible ambulance staff had accepted the disturbed meal break payment [see note].

"It is now clear that Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has to take personal responsibility for this issue, get involved and knock heads together. If it does prove impossible to find a national solution then at the very least it is vital we have an agreement for protocol in rural areas. These are the areas most affected by the issue, as the tragedies in Tomintoul and Crieff demonstrate all too vividly.

"We all applaud the tireless and dedicated work of our emergency services and, of course, it is vital that staff are well rested and alert on the job. However, serious injury, critical illness and imminent death do not wait for tea breaks. Patient safety is at stake here and we should not forget that."

Below is the parliamentary question submitted by Mary Scanlon MSP and the response she received.

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of ambulance staff has opted in to paid meal breaks. (S4W-01275)

Ms Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Ambulance Services staff do not receive paid meal breaks. All staff who work under the Agenda for Change terms and conditions system work a 37.5 hour week excluding any meal or rest breaks.

Scottish Ambulance Service staff who agree to be interrupted during their unpaid breaks receive a £250 annual allowance, plus a £5 payment each time they are required to respond to an emergency whilst on a break. So far in 2011-12 some 21% of eligible staff have accepted the disturbed meal break payment. These arrangements are currently under urgent review.

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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