Ambulance service in critical condition

GUERNSEY Ambulance and Rescue has called for a fundamental review of its services and funding arrangements after warning that its 'unsustainable' financial model will threaten its future.

Chief officer Jon Beausire, pictured, said the critical review would have to consider all options – including whether the service should be brought in-house by the States – in order to provide a sustainable solution.

It followed publication of Guernsey Ambulance and Rescue's annual report, which showed that its reserve fund, used to cover the gap between income and expenditure, had been reduced to £200,000 by the end of 2011 – a drop of £1.2m. since 2008.

'It's a critical situation that has been building over a number of years,' said Mr Beausire yesterday.

'It's vitally important that we make sure that we get adequate funding from the States of Guernsey in the future.'