Alarm sounded over ambulance service
Article Abstract:
Recommendations entailing a radical overhaul of the 999 ambulance service in the UK are contained in a report by the Audit Commission published on 24 September 1998. The service is being affected by an increase in demand, with 3.2mn ambulance responses for 1997 alone, and there are fears that if non-urgent calls are not excluded in some way, response times for emergency call-outs could be affected. The Audit Commission report says that certain cases could be dealt with by paramedics who would travel to callers' homes by motorbike, given that minor ailments make to 12% of the overall number of calls. The 38 ambulance services in England and Wales are obliged to react to 95% of calls inside 19 minutes in rural areas and 14% in urban areas but nearly 25% of services are not meeting these goals.
Comment:
UK: Recommendations entailing radical overhaul of 999 ambulance svc are contained in report by Audit Commission on 9/24/98
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1998
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Oftel lacks cash to beat poor telecoms service
Article Abstract:
Between 1995 and 1997 action was only taken on 8% of the 217 unfair competition probes undertaken by the UK telecoms regulator Oftel, according to a report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee. The committee believes that such a poor record reflects the fact that the resources and skilled staff that Oftel can call on are dwarfed by British Telecoms resources, making for an unfair contest. Out of Oftel's 180 staff just 18 deal with competition issues and a new assessment of Oftel's finances and organisation has been initiated. The report also highlights concern about the high charges imposed for ISDN lines, which can quickly transmit computer information.
Comment:
UK: Telecommunications regulator Oftel undertakes action on only 8% of 217 unfair competition probes between 1995 & 1997
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1998
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