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Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with NHS England’s 2022/23 annual report which makes for sobering reading, with ambulance services continuing to be challenged by long handover delays in the face of unprecedented demand.
There’s also a story on a new base for Merseyside’s HART operation, which is made up of specially trained paramedics who attend incidents that have the potential to be more dangerous.
And the Fire Brigades Union has once again warned about the risks associated with flammable cladding following a fire earlier this week which was responded to by more than 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines.
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NHS England annual report highlights ambulance service pressures but also finds innovation
NHS England has now published its 2022/23 annual report and it makes for sobering reading.
The report sets out the impact of strikes and the continued pressure on NHS services, including ambulance provision, but finds innovation in technology, use of volunteers and its commitment to achieving net zero. More via Emergency Services Times
‘No evidence’ to support need for Police Scotland redundancies
Union chiefs have insisted there is “no evidence” to support Police Scotland’s decision to seek almost 200 voluntary redundancies from its staff other than the force needing to reduce its deficit.
Unison made clear it does “not support or agree with the decision to launch a voluntary redundancy/early retirement scheme at this time”. More via STV News
SIA grants available for UK charities and community groups using cash confiscated from criminals
The Security Industry Authority has announced the opening of its grant for good causes fund for 2023 to 2024.
Through the fund, the UK’s private security industry regulator distributes money recovered through proceeds of crime confiscation orders to good causes in the UK. More via Security Industry Authority
Commemorating 50 years of West Midlands Police: the force of a thousand macs
Corinne Brazier, Heritage Manager at West Midlands Police Museum, looks back over 200 years of policing in the region as West Midlands Police celebrates its 50th anniversary. More via Emergency Services Times
Economic Crime Unit officers given Chief Constable Commendations for work to reduce phone fraud in Greater Manchester
Police Staff Paul Fletcher and Police volunteer Pete McEvoy who work within the Economic Crime Unit were awarded with a Chief Constable’s Commendation for their hard work to reduce phone fraud in Greater Manchester. More via Greater Manchester Police
Work to start on specialist paramedic site in north Liverpool
A former NHS site in north Liverpool is to be repurposed as a base for specially trained paramedics.
Having initially gone up for sale in 2021 following the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) moving out to a new location in Speke, the former Elm House location on Belmont Grove is being revamped to house a new station and training facility. More via Liverpool Echo
Nottinghamshire PCC announces independent review of Nottingham killings
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Caroline Henry, has commissioned the College of Policing to undertake an independent review into the policing response surrounding the Valdo Calocane killings. More via College of Policing
Fire union warns of ‘criminal complacency’ after Wembley cladding fire
Following a cladding fire in Wembley earlier this week, which required 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has once again warned of the unnecessary risks associated with flammable cladding. More via FBU
Senior paramedics warn major North West Ambulance Service restructure could ‘put lives at risk’
Senior paramedics have warned a major restructure of staff at the North West Ambulance Service could ‘put lives at risk’. They claim they have resorted to ‘actively look for jobs outside NWAS’ as they have been left feeling ‘drained, hopeless, demoralised and worthless’, according to a leaked letter. More via Manchester Evening News
APCC releases statement in response to latest crime statistics
Donna Jones, Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), has released a statement in response to the latest police recorded crime statistics and the British Crime Survey for the year to the end of September 2023 in England and Wales.
Jones said the figures, which revealed an increase in violent crime, are concerning and vowed that PCCs will continue to ensure their local forces are doing all they can to bear down on such crimes. More via APCC