New findings show taxis and police cars are increasingly being sent to 999 emergency calls instead of ambulances to pick up patients.
UNISON national officer, Hope Daley, said:
“It is totally unacceptable that ambulance trusts are using taxis and the police to pick up patients while they are cutting the number of fully trained staff and ambulances on our roads.
“When someone is so ill they need medical intervention, the least they expect is to be attended by medically trained professionals. Patients may miss out on vital life saving treatment on their way to hospital.
“Using taxis could end up costing lives to save money which should be put to better use retaining trained ambulance staff to deliver a crucial service that members of the public not only rely on but deserve.”
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