Ambulance staff entitled to �20 lunch bonus

AMBULANCE staff across Comet country are entitled to a �20 bonus if an emergency call disrupts their lunch break.

The payment was agreed after a consultation and went live in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire on April 1.

Front line emergency service crews receive the money if they say they do not mind being disturbed and are called out during their meal break.

The East of England Ambulance Service spokesman welcomed the move and says meal breaks are staggered so not all crews take their break at the same time.

Gary Sanderson said: “The new meal break arrangement was agreed following extensive consultation with staff and staff side, and is proving to be very successful, leading to our response times to patients improving, and staff receiving their breaks in a timely manner.

“Staff working on the front line need to have the opportunity to have a meal break, as they are often working 12 hour shifts; meal breaks are staggered so not all crews go on a meal break at the same time or in the same geographical area, and ambulances are moved to provide 999 cover to maintain our service to patients.”