Ref: FOI/1651
19 June 2015
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Dear Mr Kembler
REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
Further to your enquiry, which we received on 25 May 2015, you requested the
following information which we have provided our response in green below each
question asked:
I am interested in how ambulance services are helping their staff to receive
influenza immunisations, which is an important aspect for both staff and patient
wellbeing.
I looked at the following PHE document and have the following questions:
Seasonal influenza vaccine uptake amongst frontline healthcare workers (HCWs)
in England February survey 2014/15 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/sy...
1) Are the figures in the PHE report for your Ambulance Service and shown below
correct?
PHE REPORT
Cumulative
Jan
% Vaccine Uptake
To
Difference
14
Feb 15
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
56.1
41.2
14.9
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS
55.8
48.6
7.2
Trust
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS
49.3
41.8
7.5
Trust
Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
47.4
47.1
0.3
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
44.0
47.0
-3.0
South Western Ambulance Service NHS
44.0
66.4
-22.4
Trust
East Of England Ambulance Service NHS
41.6
26.7
14.9
Trust
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust
37.7
38.5
-0.8
NE Ambulance Service NHS Foundation
34.6
29.9
4.7
Trust
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS
34.4
31.3
3.1
Trust
FOI/1651 continued…
Yes. All data has been collected and reported according to the ‘Seasonal influenza
frontline healthcare workers vaccine uptake survey 2014/15 guidance’ document issued
by Public Health England.
2) The number of flu doses given increased by 473 from 2013/14 to 2014/15, and
the % vaccinated increased from 31% to 34%.
Staff involved in patient care increased by 1,115.
The service has one of the lowest immunisation rates of Ambulance Services, are
there particular reasons for this?
Involved In Patient Care
February
January
Difference
2015
2014
North West Ambulance Service NHS
3432
4480
-1048
Trust
South East Coast Ambulance Service
2916
2888
28
NHS Trust
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS
2929
2714
215
Trust
Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
3060
3204
-144
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
2839
2995
-156
South Western Ambulance Service NHS
3121
2508
613
Trust
East Of England Ambulance Service
4107
3081
1026
NHS Trust
South Central Ambulance Service NHS
2079
2001
78
Trust
North East Ambulance Service NHS
2080
2064
16
Foundation Trust
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS
3967
2852
1115
Trust
Flu Doses Given
February
January
Difference
2015
2014
North West Ambulance Service NHS
1927
1847
80
Trust
South East Coast Ambulance Service
1626
1405
221
NHS Trust
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS
1445
1134
311
Trust
Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
1451
1510
-59
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
1249
1407
-158
South Western Ambulance Service NHS
1374
1665
-291
Trust
East Of England Ambulance Service
1709
824
885
NHS Trust
South Central Ambulance Service NHS
784
770
14
Trust
North East Ambulance Service NHS
720
617
103
Foundation Trust
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS
1366
893
473
Trust
No, there are no particular reasons. It should be noted that there was a year on year
percentage increase in the vaccine uptake at West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS
Foundation Trust (WMAS). Also, in terms of the number of doses given, WMAS has
FOI/1651 continued…
seen the second highest increase in the number of vaccines administered to staff
involved in patient care.
Please note, for the 2014/15 survey the NHS Classification ‘Support to Clinical Staff’
was requested to be collected. In the 2013/14 survey the classification was drilled down
to include only ‘Support to ambulance staff’.
3) The average % vaccine uptake for ambulance services is substantially lower
than for Hospitals. Are there reasons for this, what is the West Midlands
Ambulance Service planning to do for the 2015/16 winter vaccine uptake, and
does it have a target for 2015/16?
Hospital Trusts are usually based in one location. Some do have are regional or
national centres for more specialised care, while others are attached to universities and
help to train health professionals.
WMAS serves a population of 5.6 million people covering an area of more than 5,000
square miles made up of Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire,
Warwickshire, Coventry, Birmingham and Black Country conurbation.
WMAS operates from 16 fleet preparation hubs across the region and a network of over
90 Community Ambulance Stations. The logistics for vaccination programme are
somewhat different to that of a hospital trust.
The planning for Flu immunisation programme for WMAS is currently in the early stages
of discussion and is not available at this stage for dissemination.
The strategic objective set by Public Health England includes actively offering the flu
vaccination to 100% of all those in the eligible clinical risk groups, and vaccinating at
least 75% of those aged 65 years and over, and healthcare workers with direct patient
contact. WMAS will include this in its programme for 2015/16.
We hope that this answers your request. If you are dissatisfied with our response you
have the right to appeal in line with guidance from the Information Commissioner:
In the first instance you may write to the Chief Executive Officer of this Trust
Mr A C Marsh
Regional Headquarters
Millennium Point
Waterfront Way
Brierley Hill
West Midlands
DY5 1LX
01384 215555
The Chief Executive Officer will then appoint a nominated deputy to oversee and
respond to the appeal with their approval.
FOI/1651 continued…
If you are unhappy with the findings of the Panel you can then write to the Information
Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner’s Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire.
SK9 5AF
Tel: 01625 545 700
Fax: 01625 524 510
If you require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely
Lynsey Bull
Freedom of Information Officer