Claim Prestonpans ambulance station changes would leave East Lothian with ‘minimal cover’

A staff member told the Courier that management intended to impose shift changes and alleged that grievances raised by staff had been ignored.

Staff have also accused management of “borderline bullying”.

They raised the alarm with South Scotland MSP Martin Whitfield regarding the rollout of a Demand Capacity Review.

The Scottish Ambulance Service intends to roll this review out across the whole ambulance service in Scotland.

The staff member said that a well-constructed work roster for ambulance staff could help to reduce staff fatigue levels and increase the efficiency of ambulance services’ performance.

He claimed: “Since 2013, we have been under-resourced.

“The changes to rota are going to have a detrimental effect on patients by having staff finish at midnight and leave minimal cover for Prestonpans and wider East Lothian.

“Management are threatening to impose these rosters; however, staff raised a grievance last June with no reply and raised a further one in December which they are ignoring, which is a breach of contract, and no patient care is being taken into consideration.”

Additionally, he said that the 25 staff members working at the station were “fatigued, stressed and suffering”.

Mr Whitfield raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood last month, saying that forcing the change without drivers’, technicians’ and paramedics’ agreement reflected a managerial approach that he claimed was insensitive.

Mr Whitfield said: “It is disappointing that our incredibly hard-working ambulance crews and staff were threatened with changes over the Christmas period and during this Covid pandemic.

“They have worked incredibly hard in stressful situations, often putting patients and the community ahead of their own families.

“It is disappointing that the ambulance management are refusing to deal with grievances raised and to engage in meaningful discussion about proposed changes.”

On January 13, Mr Whitfield; Karen Leonard, GMB union Scottish Ambulance Service full-time officer; Gary Ward, GMB branch shop steward for East and Midlothian; and staff members from Prestonpans Ambulance Service met in relation to ongoing concerns about the SAS Demand and Capacity Review and how the employer had chosen to address these.

Martin Whitfield, South Scotland MSP

However, the meeting had to take place outside the ambulance station because of an alleged refusal from management staff to allow it to be held indoors.

Mr Whitfield added: “To have to meet outside rather than in the premises is a style of management I thought we had moved on from.

“It is important that where change in the health service is being contemplated, not just at Christmas and not just in the ambulance service – and let us not forget that the motivation for such changes, whether or not people agree with the detail, is to improve the service to patients – those who deliver the services should be fully involved in making those decisions.”

A spokesperson for the GMB union said: “GMB members have made it clear they are not willing to accept changes to their shift patterns without full disclosure of requested information, and the hearing of a formal grievance, which has been outstanding since July.

“GMB branch shop stewards have repeatedly asked for this grievance to be heard, as per policy, but this has fallen on deaf ears.

“Our members have advised us they have had enough.

“A consultative ballot for industrial action will now be held.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson stressed that there would be no reduction in ambulance cover for the area, saying: “We are not reducing cover in the Prestonpans area.

“Through our demand and capacity programme, Prestonpans is benefitting from an additional 133 double-crewed ambulance (DCA) hours per week.

“In addition, to deliver the best possible care for patients and to protect staff welfare, we are working closely with staff at Prestonpans to support them in developing their own roster which will give the best possible work/life balance whilst meeting the needs of the community.”

In regard to the meeting, the spokesperson added: “National infection control procedures, which include social distancing and limiting footfall and visits from external sources, have been in place since the start of the pandemic.

“These procedures are being adhered to in all stations to minimise the risk of infection to patients, our staff and their families.”