AMBULANCE bosses have apologised for their drivers using residential streets and sounding sirens in the early hours of the morning on the way to Colchester General Hospital.

Residents had initially complained of the sirens being used in Turner Road and Mill Road after midnight.

But concerns were also raised over ambulance drivers persisting in using the busy streets to get to the hospital instead of a newly-constructed emergency vehicle entrance, off Northern Approach Road, which most ambulances have been issued a key fob for.

Marian Burgess, the East of England Ambulance Service Trust patient experience lead, has written to Martin Goss, Colchester councillor for Mile End.

Mr Goss raised the issues after being contacted by dozens of weary residents.

In the letter Mrs Burgess states: “Ambulances from other parts of the county, for example mid Essex and Suffolk, visit Colchester Hospital at times and will not have a key fob.

“As you will appreciate, to distribute these to every ambulance in the trust would not be cost-effective.

“Recently, an alternative entrance had been used when some of the building works were started as the turning access into the drop-off area was made difficult by some of the fencing that was unavoidably erected.

“Subsequently, the kerb that was a major factor surrounding this has now been removed and the surface repaired.

“Information to start re-using this was not communicated to staff but this has now happened by way of a memo circulated to all staff.”

“I would like to apologise for what has happened and for the upset this has caused you [and] I hope that this letter assures you the trust has taken steps to ensure that this matter has been fully investigated.”

Mr Goss welcomed the trust’s plans, adding the situation had become “dumbfounding and stupid”.

He said: “It’s been something which really had been getting to some residents.

“It started out with the sirens being used in the early hours of the morning, which obviously wasn’t ideal, but has developed into frustration as they [residents] watch ambulances battle through traffic in Turner Road and Mill Road, thinking: ‘Why do that when there is a perfectly good entrance at the back?’ It was dumbfounding and stupid.

“At the end of the day, every minute counts for patients and knowing ambulances will be using the back entrance - which takes people straight to A&E - much more often can only help that.

Mr Goss added: “It’s an outcome we can all be happy with and a testament to the service.”

'It won't happen again'

A MEMO has been sent to all north Essex ambulance staff urging them to use the rear entrance to Colchester General Hospital off Northern Approaches.

The hospital’s main entrance for the public is via Turner Road.

However, residents living nearby have complained of the noise created by ambulances, especially if they have their sirens while on emergency calls.

The circular sent around the ambulance staff came a result of Martin Goss raising the issue with the East of England Ambulance Service Trust. 

It reads: “We understand there has been some disruption with availability of the Northern Approach access barrier while building work has been taking place. 

“The kerb that was causing some turning issues into the entrance of the offloading area has now been resolved and resurfaced. 

“Much cost and planning went into the development of the Northern Approach access to aid with ease of access into Colchester General Hospital and diverts away from Turner Road and Mill Road. 

“So, as of immediate effect, could we please make our primary access in and out of the hospital the barrier leading to Northern Approach and not Turner Road.

"Your co-operation and continued hard work is much appreciated.”