UNISON has condemned the threat to privatise Patient Transport Services (PTS), which has historically been provided by the South Western Ambulance Service Trust.

NHS commissioners want to put the services out to tender to save money. This could mean that private companies would end up running PTS. Unison has launched a campaign to try and prevent this happening. We have had extensive media coverage on television in the press and on local radio already, that reflects the work we are undertaking. We have written to all of your MPs and have been in contact with Overview and Scrutiny committees, and now Patient groups. We have also decided to contact the Chief Executives and Chairs of the commissioning Trusts and PCTs to reemphasise the value that we deliver. 

We tell them all what you already know: That PTS conveys some of the most vulnerable NHS patients to and from hospital and clinical appointments. You have the training, experience and equipment to deal with any complications that may arise during these journeys.

Ian Hopkins, our Branch Secretary, told the press: “Services to these vulnerable patients need to be provided by trained, skilled and dedicated staff. Patients and their relatives need to feel they are in safe hands. We understand that the NHS is striving to cut costs and save money but these patients need more than just taxis. It would be better for all concerned if patient transport services remained the responsibility of Ambulance Trusts."

UNISON is also concerned that the loss of the staff and vehicles would compromise the Service’s ability to cope with major incidents. The PTS staff are used to back up the front line service in times of extraordinary demand. They are also often needed by the service to transport the less injured patients away from road traffic collisions and major incidents.

The Services, so far, out to tender include, Outside Core Hours, Short Notice, Timed Response, Long Distance, Repatriation, Bariatric, Mental Health, Renal and Neo-Natal. However, UNISON believes that this could be the start of a process that would lead to all services being tendered for.

Ian stated further: “UNISON, as a public service union, is committed to maintaining a safe and secure ambulance service, as well as being committed to the maintenance of our member’s employment status and future. We believe that the proposals put forward undermine both of these considerations.”

We need your involvement Ian has emailed every PTS member of staff looking for their support to save their service. We need Ideas from you. We need slogans for the campaign, UNISON will produce badges and posters for you to distribute and use. We are going to instigate a petition and target the SHA with a pre paid post card campaign. The problem for us is not getting the interest; we’ve done that, its maintaining it. The tendering process will take months. We’ve started our campaign right on time but we must maintain it.

UNISON has granted a substantial campaign fund through the General Political Fund. We can and will provide the resources. We can and are use every opportunity and avenue to protect our members. What we need is your commitment to help us deliver what we will provide. HELP US HELP YOU

These are your jobs, your future and it’s not just in PTS. The loss of up to 350 jobs to our service would impact across the whole organisation.

A BBC video report on the above issue can be viewed at this address: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/puffbox/hyperpuff/audiovideo/england/devon/7812043.stm

For further information contact:

Ian Hopkins, Branch Secretary, 07779 318571

Alan Lofthouse, Assistant Branch Secretary 07773 034636

Chris Dayus, UNISON Regional Officer, 01392 442650

Jenn Gollings, UNISON Communications Coordinator 01823 285335