Patient fears as ambulance firm faces collapse

A private ambulance company taking seriously ill and vulnerable patients across Bristol and the South West is facing the prospect of being wound up over more than £1m in alleged unpaid tax.

The potential collapse of Bristol Ambulance EMS has raised concerns about patient safety and jobs.

NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board said: "We ask patients to consider using family or alternative transport arrangements where possible."

HM Revenue and Customs has presented a winding‑up petition against BAEMS Ltd, trading as Bristol Ambulance EMS. Company owner Shaun Pillinger said in a staff memo it was a "serious matter ... being actively managed".

A hearing is due to be held to consider the winding-up petition on Wednesday 20 May.

Bristol Ambulance EMS (BEMS) currently runs about 50 ambulances and patient transport vehicles each day, and is rated as outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

Its role includes taking patients to appointments to have life‑saving treatment.

In addition to routine patient transport, it provides specialist vehicles and staff for paediatric, neonatal and adult intensive care transfers across the South West, moving critically ill patients between hospitals.

It was brought in on a temporary basis after the collapse of a previous non‑emergency patient transport provider, SVL, to help fulfil contracts for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).

The firm also supplies medical cover for major events including the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Bristol Pride, Love Saves the Day and events at Ashton Gate Stadium.

The winding‑up petition brought by HMRC appears to relate to an alleged dispute over unpaid VAT.

Robin Hughes, branch secretary of Unison South West Ambulance, said he was "disturbed" by the situation.

"It begs the question of whether this area is being properly regulated, and whether the people who commission these services are paying close enough attention to what is going on," he said.

Pillinger has been approached for a comment in relation to the claim by HMRC that his company owes more than £1m in VAT.

He told staff in a memo on Wednesday that the company faced some financial pressures as a result of a reduction in how frontline A&E staff operate.

Pillinger described the HMRC winding-up petition as a "serious matter ... being actively managed with support of partners".

He added: "I am pleased to confirm that all critical financial commitments, including wages ... through the end of May, are fully supported.

"Importantly, there has already been strong interest from a number of established operations within our sector regarding a potential investment in or acquisition of the business."

Pillinger also promised minimal disruption to staff and patients.

In a statement HMRC said it could not comment on businesses due to taxpayer confidentiality laws but added: "We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts and only file winding-up petitions once we've exhausted all other options, in order to protect taxpayers' money."

A source at BAEMS, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the BBC there was concern there was no immediate alternative provider capable of replacing its level of operational support at short notice.

They added: "Some of these staff are now facing this situation for the second time in less than two years.

"Following a similar situation with the previous provider SVL, many feel this ongoing instability is a direct result of ambulance services being run privately rather than as part of the NHS, like many other ambulance services across the country."

The source added that staff were devastated at the prospect of not being paid at the end of the month, and that some have already walked off shift due to the uncertainty over wages.

The source said: "Patients will be significantly affected, with fewer ambulances available to transport them to vital and potentially life-saving appointments and treatments.

"If this matter is not resolved urgently, there is a serious risk that patient outcomes will deteriorate and that there could be an increase in deaths resulting from the loss or delay of essential services."

Unison's Robin Hughes said staff were deeply anxious about both their jobs and the people who rely on the service.

"We are aware that staff are as confused as anybody else as to where they stand," he said.

"We are also concerned about the patients, who I'm sure are in some distress, at the potential disruption to the service they depend on."

Hughes said workers had experienced ongoing changes in recent months, including a reduction in work commissioned from BAEMS by South Western Ambulance Service.

"It relieves some of the burden that might otherwise fall on the ambulance service," he said.

"But the problem here is we have seen disruption to patient services in the wider Bristol area. It seems to be a recurring issue -with disruption at short notice - and there is clearly something more fundamental going on."

He added that while the organisation had attempted to reassure staff they would be paid, many remained worried about whether they would receive their wages at the end of the month.

The integrated care board said: "We are working with Bristol Ambulance and other NHS partners to understand the implications of this and ensure that services are maintained for local people."

It said patient transport services were continuing on a business-as-usual basis, and eligible patients should continue to book transport use the Patient Transport Hub and that South Western Ambulance Service is not affected.

NHS England South West said it was aware of the situation.

"Partners have been working to ensure that services continue to operate as usual, with no major issues so far reported," a spokesperson said.

"Contingency plans are also in place."

The BBC has also contacted BAEMS Ltd for comment.

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