AMBULANCE staff across Huddersfield will today be told of planned changes to the service to keep costs under control.

A series of proposed changes to Accident & Emergency staffing by Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust will be put to employees including staff at Huddersfield, Honley and Brighouse ambulance stations.

It includes the planned introduction of Emergency Care Assistants to work alongside paramedics on ambulances.

These roles, which will see the assistants trained to drive under ‘blue light’ circumstances, are already part of A&E services elsewhere.

But there have been concerns that they do not have the same skills as fully-trained paramedics.

The Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel, the ambulance workers’ union that represents both paramedics and ECAs, has warned that patients’ safety is being put at risk as the assistants are increasingly being used instead of paramedics on high priority calls due to a lack of resources

The Trust, which covers 6,000 square miles, is planning to shake up the way it operates in order to balance its budget over the next five years and give patients “the best possible clinical outcomes”.

The proposals, described as final, include increasing the number of qualified paramedics over the next five years and retaining an existing tier of paramedics with additional clinical skills.

The Trust says the changes will not lead to a reduction in overall staffing and there will be no compulsory redundancies.

Other facets include pay protection arrangements that ensure A&E staff will not see a reduction in their current level of pay over the next five years and a commitment to remain aligned to the national terms and conditions of employment for NHS staff.

Trust officials have already held talks with unions, Unison and Unite.

David Whiting, chief executive of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “Our absolute focus throughout this process has been to ensure that we continue to deliver a safe, responsive and high quality service to the people of Yorkshire over the coming years.

“We have also sought to ensure we protect the current employment and future career prospects of our A&E staff as much as we possibly can during these challenging economic times.”

How a Mirfield family are helping to care for many foster children - find out how you can help here: Click here to read.