UNISON, THE main health service union, is opposing cuts of £1.2 million (€1.5 million) in the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
It is also resisting plans to use rapid response vehicles instead of the traditional ambulance service in some cases.
Minister for Health Michael McGimpsey has denied there are plans to cut funding for ambulance services, claiming instead there are new measures to increase the service’s efficiency.
“After these efficiencies have been achieved, there will be a net increase in investment in ambulance services,” he said.
“Next year will see an increased number of rapid response vehicles which will play a valuable role in responding to emergencies and stabilising patients.”
However, Unison spokeswoman Lily Kerr said reducing the ambulances coverage to increase the rapid response was “bad news” for patients and these rapid response vehicles were not an adequate ambulance cover.
“It’s all very well saying you’re giving a rapid response, but these vehicles can’t take a patient to the hospital. An ambulance would have to be called anyway.”
According to the Department of Health, not less than £2.5 million will be invested this year in rapid response vehicles and in extra coverage at the weekends.
Brian McNeill, director of operations at the ambulance service, said he was hoping these measures would help to achieve the targets set by the Executive. There are currently five rapid response vehicles in place and Mr McNeill said the ambulance service was planning to invest another £12 million in the fleet, in the next three years.