Ambulance strike averted after HSE backdown

THE THREAT of industrial action by the State's 1,200 paramedics has been averted after the Health Service Executive agreed with their union, Siptu, to end its contracts with three private ambulance services.

Under the agreement, the private operators will be told their contracts are to end in June, T he Irish Timesunderstands. Siptu also says it has won agreement for an additional 180 paramedics to start training this year.

Lifeline Ambulances, one of the three companies that tendered and won the €15 million contract to provide relief ambulance services for the health service last year, expressed shock.

"I've never heard the like of this in my life. Mugabe wouldn't pull a stroke like that," said the company's owner, David Hall. He accused Siptu of acting as a competitor and exercising undue influence on HSE management.

Mr Hall said that although he had yet to receive a letter from the HSE he had been told the contracts were to be withdrawn. He said he would be taking legal advice on the matter. Lifeline is expecting delivery of four ambulances next week which were to service the HSE contract.

The HSE said both it and Siptu now accepted the use of private ambulances and a framework had been agreed for the operation of private services alongside the national service.

Siptu's national industrial secretary Matt Merrigan confirmed that the HSE's contracts with the three companies would be terminated. He said the agreement meant the industrial action planned for April 7th would not now go ahead, and "revised procurement arrangements" would be employed for the use of agency or private ambulance providers.

Privately-owned ambulances have been used by the health service as relief for over 40 years, but last year's agreement between the HSE and three firms - Lifeline, Blackrock Ambulances and Medicall - was an attempt to simplify the arrangements. It is likely the companies will be involved in any revised arrangements as they are the only ones that meet standards.