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An interim crew will be taking over the day-to-day running of Alderney's ambulance service from today until the New Year, when a permanent solution will be found to the current crisis.
Guernsey's St John Ambulance has been covering the emergency service in Alderney too since the island's volunteer crew all stood down from their duties in solidarity with Mel Walden who was sacked.
She was the Chief Officer of the Alderney Ambulance Service but was forced out of her job after a review found a number of issues with the way it was run and the equipment used.
Pictured: Mel Walden, former Chief Officer of the Alderney Ambulance Service, speaking to Alderney States Members.
The strikes started earlier this month, meaning it has taken more than three weeks for an interim solution to be found on-island.
The States of Alderney said they've "worked closely with the island’s key medical stakeholders and the other emergency services to firstly ensure 24-hour ambulance cover is available over the Christmas period and into the New Year".
Representatives from the Mignot Memorial Hospital (MMH), The Island Medical Centre (IMC) and St John Ambulance Guernsey, together with the States of Alderney Fire and Rescue Service and the Guernsey-run Alderney Airport Fire Service, have agreed to jointly oversee "a safe and effective ambulance service that will operate over the holiday period".
A team of volunteers has been put together, and they will run the service under the leadership of Alderney's Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, alongside the Fire and Rescue Service.
Guernsey’s St John Ambulance Service was providing interim cover until today, and has also been involved in checking all of the equipment is safe and serviceable. The Guernsey service will continue to provide technical and professional support as a permanent solution is found in Alderney.
The States of Alderney said:
"All out-of-date, damaged or missing equipment has been removed or rectified with the assistance of St John Ambulance Guernsey. This means the ambulance service will have the resilience of the key organisations working together to provide 24-hour cover. All volunteers crewing the ambulances will have an appropriate level of training to carry out patient transfer."
The States has arranged a training programme for all volunteers and says there are sufficient crew members to ensure service continuity. The States says it will also work with stakeholders to develop the "right model to serve Alderney in the longer term and will engage with the local community to get their views and input in the New Year."
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