Last month the service announced that 900 jobs, including 560 posts “responsible for direct patient care”, are to be cut as part of a five year cost-cutting plan though bosses stressed “the vast majority of reductions should come from natural wastage.”
Appearing before the Assembly’s Health and Public Services Committee earlier this week, the service’s Deputy Chief Executive Michael Dinan told AMs changes in how the service operates would enable it to make savings without affecting patient care.
The Committee is undertaking an investigation into the operational and financial performance of the London Ambulance Service and its relationship with City Hall.
Chair Victoria Borwick said; “The London Ambulance Service plays an essential and wide-ranging role in looking after the health of Londoners and so it is reassuring to hear that patient care should not be harmed by the planned changes.
“However, it remains to be seen whether the quality of its services can be maintained, and so we will continue to keep an eye on developments to ensure any efficiencies and innovations bring benefits to the healthcare of Londoners as well as help balance the books.”
