West Midlands Ambulance Service
Unison 'shocked' over West Midlands Ambulance Service redundancies
No frontline staff will be affected but the union says any job losses 'will impact on patients'
Catherine Lillington
Listen: Ambulance call-handlers, who often have to deal with time-wasters and hoax caller, will not be affected.
Unison said it was "shocked" West Midlands Ambulance Service staff could be facing compulsory redundancies as the trust has to find millions of pounds in savings.
The ambulance trust's chief executive Anthony Marsh said it was under "extreme financial pressures" and compulsory job losses "cannot be ruled out at this stage".
But a service spokesman confirmed frontline staff, including paramedics and call-handlers, will not be affected.
Ambulance staff could be facing compulsory redundancies
Chanel Camelleri-Willis, Unison West Midland regional organiser said: "Unison was shocked to learn of the proposed need to make compulsory redundancies at West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
"The trust prides itself on being one of the best performing ambulance trusts in the country, so the news that the trust needs to take such drastic cost saving steps was unexpected, particularly in light of the fact that other ambulance trusts around the country are not in such a stable position as the West Midlands, and yet they are not resorting to take such action.
"We are currently in consultation with the employer and are working very closely with them to try and negate the need for any job losses.
"We have been informed that no 'frontline' staff are at risk.
West Midlands Ambulance Service say frontline staff won't be affected
"However we have made clear to the employer that every member of staff at the trust is contributing towards the excellent patient care that they are proud to deliver.
"Any job losses, from whatever function, will impact on patients that are dependent on the excellent services provided by West Midlands Ambulance Trust."
The trust, which employs about 4,000 people, said it is required to make cost improvements every year to improve efficiency.
In 2015-16 the service has to find £8.8million in savings.
It needs to save a further £11.7m in 2016-17.
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Mr Marsh said: "Due to extreme financial pressures facing West Midlands Ambulance Service, planning is taking place to ensure that patients continue to receive the high standards of service we are known for.
"The trust will operate within the financial restrictions placed upon it and will do everything possible to avoid compulsory redundancies but they cannot be ruled out at this stage."
Consultations are said to be underway with the service's trade union representatives to explore all available options.
The service responds to about 3,000 999 calls a day and serves a population of 5.6 million.
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