UNISON Branch 11353 South East Region
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust
CF31 5DF
18th May 2003
Dear Peter,
Firstly may I take this opportunity to thank you for allowing us to submit
this letter to your group.together with the previous information that we
have exchanged, on the occasions on which we have met recently. I hope
that our input on the proposals for the Green Paper has been of benefit.
I am writing concerning the proposals that are underway regarding
pensions, and the green paper from the DWP, that is currently under
consultation.
I note that in section 6.5 of the green paper, there is a reference to public
service pension proposals. The proposals highlighted in point 66 states: “There will continue to be some occupations such as armed forces, fire
service and police where the need for a recognised physical capacity
justifies the award of a normal pension at a lower age…”
I wish to point out that once again we find ambulance staff omitted from
this list. For many years we have campaigned for earlier retirement (55
years) for our profession, and for very good reasons:  Ambulance staff suffer one of the worst post retirement longevity
periods.
 Ambulance staff have one of the worst ill health retirement rates in the
NHS. On average 3 to 4 people working in the NHS retire annually on
the ground of ill health per 1000 staff. Ambulance staff have a rate
between 17 to 30 ill health retirements per 1000 per annum in
comparison. That’s 4 to 6 times the number of ill heath retirements
compared with other NHS workers. It is usually caused by Physical
injury such as musclelo-skeletal injuries, but mental stress problems of
a post-traumatic nature are on the increase.
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 The government has allowed our colleagues in other emergency
services, retire at an earlier age, for many years. It is deemed virtually
unacceptable for a fireman/police officer aged over 55 years to be in
active service. It is however not uncommon to find Front line
ambulance personnel (Paramedics and Technicians) working till full
retirement age (65). These members of staff could be carrying one of
our own relatives down several flights of stairs, or dealing with you at
a serious road traffic accident, often in dangerous circumstances, in an
attempt to save a patient’s life. An Ambulance person, who visits one
patient, may have to lift that patient plus equipment up to 12 times
between incident and handover at clinical care. Multiply that by an
average of 8 calls a day and that could equate to 96 lifts per shift, upto,
equivalent or greater that that persons own body weight. Multiply this
by 40 years of service, and you arrive at some alarming figures. I
don’t know how this compares to the other services, but I don’t
believe that a fireman would lift up to 96 people in a day!*
 The NHS confederation of human resources figures indicate that only
one in 100 frontline Ambulance staff actually reaches retirement age.
 In 1997, the National Ambulance Service Retirement Age Working
Party submitted a report, together with the ASA (Ambulance Services
Association) to the Department of Health (then the Ministry of
Health). This report recommended ability for staff to retire at 55 years
with no loss of benefits. It also advised changes to the pension system
for Ambulance staff, to allow the retirement at an earlier age.

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The report was updated with additional evidence in June 1998, and
submitted to the DOH. It concluded that “It appears as a matter of
fact, that it is unlikely that a member of frontline A&E (ambulance)
staff, can be expected to sustain more that 20-25 years active service,
particularly if also over the age of 50-54. This confirms and fiurther
supports the findings of the previuos report (Nov ’97) on the
Ambulance Services Retirement Policy recommendations.”
 The treasury review of ill health retirements in the public sector (July
2000) indicated that the NHSPA should have a target of 4 ill health
retirements per 1000 staff. This target could be met as part of the
government’s initiative of “Improving working Lives”. The target date
for this figure is 2005. Realistically, those figures are close to the
average now for general NHS staff, with the exception for frontline
Ambulance personnel, who account for four to six times that figure as
a minimum. It is therefore clear, that to be successful in reaching the 4
per 1000 figure for ambulance staff would probably have to be done
as a complete review of their scheme.
 As a result of potential change to any scheme, the entire career
structure would probably have to be reviewed. A new structure would
allow staff to remain in the workforce longer, though contributions
may have to be increased for the scheme to be sustainable. It may also
have to be considered for staff to be able to continue in their post if
they should wish. This could be subject to a medical, or other
conditions, and would eliviate any risk of any claims regarding age
discrimination.
 I note that one of the purposes of the green paper is to eliviate age
discrimination. I would therefore ask for age parity with the other
services, regarding length of service and retirement. I am also aware,
as no doubt, you are too, that there is a working party to discuss the
earlier retirement of Ambulance personnel as a special case. I believe
that this working party is in line with the government’s policy on
“Improving Working Lives”. I can only hope for a positive outcome.
 It may be of benefit to you to contact the NHS Pensions agency at
Fleetwood, where Mr Paul Robinson has been tasked to lead the
review as part of the “Improving working lives initiative”. He may be
able to provide you with additional information, with view of
considering us as a special case for earlier retirement.
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I would therefore like to seek your support and assurance, in campaigning
for the early retirement for Ambulance Personnel, without loss of
benefits, and allow us access to the specialist group of occupations of
physical capacity. This would allow them to enjoy a longer retirement, be
more family friendly, and possibly use their experiences and advanced
skills elsewhere in the workforce. I recently met Mr Bob Holloway, from
the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, at the UNISON pensions
conference, together with Mr Paul Robinson, from the NHSPA in
Fleetwood. I believe that they also think that there is a valid case.
I do hope that you can assist us in our endeavour, Please contact me at the
above address or our national Pensions officer, Mr Glyn Jenkins, based at
Unison Offices, Mabledon Place, London WC1.
Thank You,
Yours Faithfully, on behalf of Unison Welsh Ambulance Branches
Tony Chatfield
Mr Tony Chatfield
Branch Officer
*Figures available if required
All Data and Evidence Availiable on request
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