Ottley raises ambulance staffing concerns in 2027 budget debate

MP Omar Ottley told Parliament during the Tuesday 29 September debate on the 2027 budget that Ambulance Department staffing shortages could eventually leave no ambulance available during an emergency.

Ottley questioned whether approximately Cg 2.1 million allocated for new vehicles includes ambulances. He said Ambulance Department personnel told him that only one driver had been available, and said several staff members were unavailable because of illness and physical complaints.

Ottley referred to a fatal accident and said the ambulance response took some time because one driver was available. He said he was not attributing the death to the response.

He also said an experienced Ambulance Department employee had told him of plans to submit a resignation. Ottley told Parliament the staffing problems had continued for two years.