Secamb says no staff fired due to height restrictions in new vans

It comes after South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) planned to replace its entire fleet with converted Fiat vans.

However, concerns were raised over whether some people would be the "wrong height" for the new vehicles due to how the seats and seatbelts are fitted.

The GMB Union feared this would mean that staff were "forced out of the service" due to their "body types".

Fiat ambulance

Charles Harrity, GMB senior organiser said: “The proposal had the distinct possibility that long-term experienced staff could have been forced out of the service for the bizarre reason that they are either too small or too tall.

“Skills and professionalism have always been the criteria to work in this service.

"Frontline ambulance clinicians and paramedics are highly trained and qualified professionals. 

“There has never been a minimum or maximum height requirement to work in the ambulance service. 

An NHS-commissioned review claimed these would be cheaper and better for the environment than traditional “box” vehicles. 

Secamb’s own risk assessment ruled the Fiats were unsafe for ten per cent of its current staff because of their height.

The trust said further investigations had found that "the vehicles are able to be safely driven by the overwhelming majority of our staff".

• READ MORE: SECAmb hits back at GMB claims that Fiat ambulances can cause decapitation

Mr Harrity added: ​“The investment in the training and development of ten per cent of staff could have been thrown away due to their body shape. 

“Furthermore, Secamb did not consider how their proposals would have affected future recruitment policy nor the impact that such a change would have on their stated policy on promoting inclusivity and diversity in the workforce. 

“The GMB along with sister trade unions raised objections to this proposal and welcome the decision that the company has, for the time being, taken this bizarre and economically driven proposal off the table.

“The GMB will be seeking complete reassurance from Secamb that neither body shape nor size will be a defining criteria for employment in the ambulance service.”

• READ MORE: South East Coast Ambulance Trust leadership inadequate - CQC

Secamb, which covers patients in Surrey, Sussex and Kent, says that it has had Fiats in its fleet for a number of years and they are also part of vehicle fleets at other ambulance services across the country.

It also states that "no staff have lost their jobs" due to the height concerns.

A Secamb spokesman said: “Over the past few months we have listened and responded to the concerns raised by some of our staff regarding Fiat ambulances. 

“We have worked with the national ambulance procurement team, the vehicle manufacturers and an independent expert to properly understand these concerns and find a way forward.

“Although not yet concluded, this work has clearly shown that the vehicles are able to be safely driven by the overwhelming majority of our staff.

“We continue to work with our unions to understand the implications for the handful of staff that may be affected and unable to drive these vehicles.

“Moving forwards, we are committed to ensuring that we work with our staff to inform our future fleet procurement.”