Wednesday, 27 November 2013 - 04:35
Amsterdam ambulances' alarming condition
The ambulance service in Amsterdam is far below par. Patients are at risk, states union FNV Abvakabo.Due to the high workload, poor deployment of ambulances and lack of good coöperation with general practitioners and emergency room, the ambulance service can not function properly, according to the union. Three-quarters of the employees of Ambulance Amsterdam rates the service as insufficient in a survey from Abvakabo FNV. The staff indicated they no longer have faith in the board.
Ambulance
Denizzje
Wikimedia commons The union speaks of a laundry list of problems and advises to involve employees more in the quality of care, and improve preparedness of ambulances. It is not the first time for the union to raise the alarm. Ambulance Amsterdam was privatized a year and a half ago, and that is when the problems started, according to the union. Alderman Erik van der Burg (VVD) is shocked. He had not received signals that something was wrong with the ambulance service and will start an investigation. The case will be discussed Wednesday in the city council. Ambulance Amsterdam says to take the study of Abvakabo seriously. The achievements of Ambulance Amsterdam are now at a level that is comparable to the average in the Netherlands, and they believe they should be better, according to a spokesperson for the service.
Denizzje
Wikimedia commons The union speaks of a laundry list of problems and advises to involve employees more in the quality of care, and improve preparedness of ambulances. It is not the first time for the union to raise the alarm. Ambulance Amsterdam was privatized a year and a half ago, and that is when the problems started, according to the union. Alderman Erik van der Burg (VVD) is shocked. He had not received signals that something was wrong with the ambulance service and will start an investigation. The case will be discussed Wednesday in the city council. Ambulance Amsterdam says to take the study of Abvakabo seriously. The achievements of Ambulance Amsterdam are now at a level that is comparable to the average in the Netherlands, and they believe they should be better, according to a spokesperson for the service.