Petition · past parliament
Make the ambulance service an emergency service
Rejected
20 signatures
What the petition asks
How many of the general public realise that our ambulance service is NOT classed an emergency service by our Government but as an essential service.
They save lives; they put their lives on the line; they work shifts;
But they are an essential service NOT an emergency one. Why not?
They save lives; they put their lives on the line; they work shifts;
But they are an essential service NOT an emergency one. Why not?
The ambulance service is contacted via 999.
Just like the police and fire service.
Yet the ambulance service is classed as an essential service NOT an emergency one.
The crews save lives in all types of conditions. They work 12-hour shifts many times without a break.
They earn far less than their counterparts in the police and fire service yet they probably help deal with the same situations.
They have to work until they are 66 to get a pension . Fire or police personnel get theirs years earlier
Just like the police and fire service.
Yet the ambulance service is classed as an essential service NOT an emergency one.
The crews save lives in all types of conditions. They work 12-hour shifts many times without a break.
They earn far less than their counterparts in the police and fire service yet they probably help deal with the same situations.
They have to work until they are 66 to get a pension . Fire or police personnel get theirs years earlier
Why it was rejected
It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.
We can't accept your petition because we aren't sure what action you would like the UK Government or Parliament to take.
There aren't classifications of "essential" or "emergency" services which decide how a service is funded or staff's terms and conditions of service.
You could start a new petition asking the Government to allow ambulance service staff to retire at the same age as police or fire crews if that is something you would like to see happen.
There aren't classifications of "essential" or "emergency" services which decide how a service is funded or staff's terms and conditions of service.
You could start a new petition asking the Government to allow ambulance service staff to retire at the same age as police or fire crews if that is something you would like to see happen.
Timeline
| 11 Jul 2019 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 24 Jul 2019 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
20
Status
Rejected
Rejected
24 Jul 2019
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.