Concern is rising about the London Ambulance Service (LAS). The number of paramedics leaving the profession in London has almost trebled in the last three years, according to a new report.

This is very serious news for Enfield because we are more dependent on the service than ever before due to the closure of Chase Farm accident and emergency. Figures from the London Health Board showed that 238 people left the London Ambulance Service (LAS) in 2013/14, compared to 80 from 2011/12.

Thirty paramedics left in May 2014 alone, the board said.

LAS said there are currently 250 paramedic vacancies and it is continuing to recruit staff.

The report, entitled Improving Primary Care overview, stated that if current trends continued there could be 600 frontline vacancies across the LAS by the end of 2014.

The report said that affordable housing and transport costs were some of the issues which could affect whether staff choose to stay in the role The LAS are calling for more to be done to tackle the cost of living for healthcare staff in cities.

Just two months ago, I interviewed 13 ambulance personnel at Barnet Hospital and North Middlesex Hospital. The moral of paramedics and technicians is very low indeed and they were unanimous about the impact the Chase Farm closure has had and the negative effect on the service to patients. The pressure on ambulance staff will put patients at risk.

Once again just a few days ago ambulances were queuing along the access road at Barnet A&E. With paramedics leaving and Barnet A&E struggling to cope, there is every reason to be very concerned.

Joan Ryan 

Labour Parliamentary candidate for Enfield North