MP Ottley prepared to “escalate the matter” if Ambulance issues aren’t fixed

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Omar Ottley has announced that he will call an urgent public meeting to address the escalating “go-slow” action within the Ambulance Department and warned that if no action is taken before then, he will move to escalate the matter further. Ottley said the current situation poses an unacceptable risk to public health and safety and requires immediate government intervention.

He said that following the recent announcement that the Ambulance Department has increased its industrial action to level two, Ottley expressed deep concern over the state of essential emergency services, stressing that no department responsible for saving lives should ever be allowed to reach such instability.

“The safety of our people must always come first,” Ottley stated. “As someone who has served as Minister of VSA, it is extremely troubling to see this critical service declining to such a level of instability. This situation requires immediate intervention—no excuses.”

During Ottley’s tenure as Minister of VSA, work had already begun to review and reform ambulance compensation and working conditions. Legislation to implement fair and structured remuneration was commissioned, and regular structural meetings with the department were held to monitor concerns and progress.

“The question now is: where is that legislation that was already in motion?” Ottley asked. “What progress has been made since this government has now took over the responsibility over a year ago? The ambulance staff’s grievances are not new. They are known. So why have they been allowed to worsen?”

Ottley is calling on the current Minister of VSA to immediately provide a status update on the commissioned legislation for fair ambulance compensation, a report on discussions held with the Ambulance Department since assuming office, and the budgetary details needed to finalize and implement the new structure to address outstanding grievances.

He reiterated that the ongoing “go-slow” represents a critical breakdown in leadership and accountability and said Parliament must step in to ensure swift corrective action.

“The people of our community deserve better,” Ottley concluded. “I will not stand by while their well-being is compromised. This requires leadership, not delays. The Minister must act immediately and decisively to restore full ambulance services and safeguard the lives of our residents.”

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