Paramedical Staff: Private Sector

Mike Penning
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on underwriting indemnity insurance for private sector paramedic providers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bradshaw
There is no departmental policy held on underwriting indemnity insurance for private sector paramedic providers. This is a matter for the private ambulance providers to manage themselves.

Mike Penning
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on competition in service provision by paramedics; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bradshaw
The Department has not issued guidance on competition in service provision by paramedics. It is up to the NHS Ambulance Trust locally to decide how to resource its front-line response to meet demand.

The Department has however made clear that in commissioning patient transport services, contracts/service level agreements with providers should set out standards and requirements relating to a range of areas to ensure high quality, safe services.