Written question asked by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 7 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 December 2009. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Monday, 14 December 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Ambulance Services: Equipment

Question: (3) what representations he has received from frontline NHS ambulance trust staff on the issue of body armour in the last two years; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each such representation.

Answer: Information on requests made to the Department for funding for protective vests for ambulance personnel in the last two years is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.Information on trials of personal protective equipment in the ambulance service in the last two years is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.Information on representations made to the Department from frontline ambulance staff on the issue of body armour in the last two years is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.The NHS Security Management Service (SMS) can assist employers through guidance on assessing risks and acting to protect staff and, where incidents do occur, on taking action against offenders. The NHS SMS also works with stakeholders, including the Social Partnership Forum, to promote the safety and security of NHS staff.

Secondary information