I have seen first-hand the amazing professionalism of the London Ambulance Service (LAS) staff serving Enfield.

Joining a shift from Chase Farm ambulance station with paramedics Becky and Jack, on the evening of Friday, October 24, I was deeply impressed by their skills and the care they gave to patients.

The dedication of Becky, Jack and all their colleagues should be applauded. They are performing a difficult job under very difficult circumstances.

Less than two hours into Friday’s shift, there were 130 calls awaiting an ambulance and the LAS had dealt with more than 4,000 calls throughout London so far that day.

There are now only two ambulances operating out of Chase Farm ambulance station. Many ambulances in use are in poor condition. One of the patients, in the ambulance I travelled in, was complaining of feeling cold. He was very poorly and the heating did not work. Staff are under real pressure. Morale is low. There is a huge vacancy rate for paramedics. They are working flat out for the whole of their shift and after three nights on call in a row they are shattered.

The ambulance service is in crisis. We all need a service we can rely on and staff deserve better working conditions. I fear that with winter on the way, these issues will become even more acute.

Joan Ryan

Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Enfield North