Ambulance service spent over £1m. from reserves

Next week, chief minister Jonathan Le Tocq will explain to the States why the Policy Council's Civil Contingencies Authority stepped in to strike a last-minute deal with the service having learned of Health and Social Services' plans to bring the provision in-house instead.

St John is the only provider of an emergency ambulance service in the British Isles that is not fully funded by its government – its grant will be more than £2.5m. under the new deal – and so relies on other forms of income to meet its running costs.

For several years it has been using its reserves – made up of donations, bequests and income from its subscription scheme and other charges – to help meet the costs of providing the emergency road ambulance service in Guernsey.

It said the main funding shortfall during this time has been caused by the 24-hour provision of paramedics, with more than £1m. of its reserves having been used to meet these costs.

'The funding model has become increasingly unrealistic and St John Ambulance and Rescue Service (SJARS) has tried for many years, without success, to engage HSSD to agree a new service level agreement with a realistic funding framework,' said SJARS director Chris Edwards.

'In the intervening period SJARS has had to draw down on substantial funds provided by St John as well as funds provided by way of loan from Treasury and Resources to plug the funding gap. That was a situation which could not be continued without jeopardising the service levels and value which are, quite rightly, expected by the Guernsey community, and which SJARS have always provided.'