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The Chairman of Alderney’s General Services Committee says he is kept awake at night by the challenges at the island’s beleaguered ambulance service.
Boyd Kelly was in the States yesterday answering other politicians' questions about his Committee's handling of problems which have affected the ambulance service for years and its plans to overcome them.
The future of the island’s ambulance service was thrown into doubt earlier this year when its only qualified paramedic said he was leaving his role.
St. John Ambulance Guernsey has stepped in to provide qualified cover while the Committee tries to develop long-term plans for a stable and durable service to overcome the numerous difficulties of recent years.
Alex Snowdon asked for a fresh update at yesterday's meeting.
“The civil service continues to work closely with St. John Ambulance Guernsey, who have provided an excellent level of support and coverage,” said Mr Kelly.
“This has been achieved with the unfailing support of our Chief Fire Officer, Mark Gaudion, and the ambulance volunteers.
Pictured: Steve Roberts (left) asked Boyd Kelly (right) for the current costs of running Alderney’s ambulance service but he was unable to provide the figures.
“We’ve been working through a variety of options to create a sustainable service in the long term and not all of those have been successful. In the short term, we have continued to be supported by a combination of external agencies and St. John Guernsey.”
When probed further on the costs of the current arrangement, Mr Kelly admitted the ongoing problems have been difficult for everyone involved.
“We’ve been through the health authority and the mainland to offer a service. That failed at the 11th hour after people had come over,” he said.
“We’ve been through St John ambulance service and that fell over at the 11th hour. We’ve been through getting an external agency - that fell over at the 11th hour.
“It keeps myself and the civil servant working on this genuinely awake every night because every plan we make falls at the 11th hour.”
Pictured: On more than one occasion, St. John has stepped in to provide ambulance cover for Alderney.
Mr Kelly said his concerns should not be seen as criticism of the men and women who have supported the service in the past.
He concluded with a suggestion that St. John Guernsey should take over the service completely.
“My personal view – not that of the Committee – is that St. John Guernsey should actually run our ambulance service.
"There will be a cost of course. I’d rather pay £2.64 per person per week than revert back to the previous system we have had.”
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