Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will discuss with North West Ambulance Trust for what reasons that Trust's vehicles do not carry (a) IV Paracetamol, (b) Ondansetron and (c) Dexamethasone.
Clinical equipment, medicines and practices of paramedics are operational matters for National Health Service ambulance trusts. However, the Ambulance Improvement Programme is currently reviewing operational delivery and configuration across ambulance trusts with a view to reducing unwarranted variation and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of ambulance services across England.
North West Ambulance Service has advised that as of October 2017:
- It would consider the clinical and cost effectiveness of Ondansetron and IV Paracetamol;
- It was not considering the introduction of Dexamethasone but would keep this under review; and
- It offers a transcutaneous pacing service.