Discussions Between the Welsh Ambulance Trust and UNISON on Ending Stand-By Arrangements

Since the Welsh Ambulance Trust was established in 1998, the number of stand-by ambulance stations has been reduced from 28 to 4. These are ambulance stations that do not have staff actually on station 24-hours per day.  

The remaining 4 stand-by stations are all located in areas where the call rate if very low but there has been pressure from local communities and ambulance staff to upgrade them to 24-hour cover.

UNISON recently balloted staff on this issue and the consensus was in favour of withdrawing the standby method of working. Following the ballot the Trust and UNISON have been working together to find a satisfactory way forward.  

The Trust's position was that even if resources were available to upgrade the stations the priority would be to invest in areas where there is high call demand and low performance.  Any alternative option would have to be funded in full from the £81k the Trust currently spends on allowances for staff working stand-by.

Both parties met on Wednesday, 12th October to consider future options and agreement was reached on a way forward.

The option agreed by both sides is to increase the rostered hours in each station to 20 hours per day.  During the 4 night time hours when staff are not on station, cover will be provided by the nearest 24-hour station.  This is in line with current practice where the nearest station is always called first before staff on stand-by are called out.   Until the new arrangements can be put in place staff will continue to operate stand-by cover.

No additional costs will be incurred by the Trust as a result of this agreement as the extra hours cover will be funded from savings made through the withdrawal of existing allowances for stand-by working.

UNISON has recommended to staff that they accept the option of increased hours and that they agree to continue stand-by cover at all 4 stations until the new arrangements are in place.  Staff at Tywyn have already accepted the proposal and the station moved to the new arrangements on Saturday 15th October.  A formal response from Knighton, Llanfyllin and Bala stations is awaited, but indications are that the proposal has been well received.