A Member of the European Parliament has hit out at ambulance sharing plans proposed by a trust.

Labour MEP for East of England, Alex Mayer, branded East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s proposal to dispatch ambulances that already have a patient on board as a “mess”.

The embattled trust is hoping to improve category one response times for patients with life-threatening injuries or illnesses.

The policy was adopted in August, this year.

Ms Mayer said: “What a mess. The East of England Ambulance Service is on the front line, hemmed in by queues at A&E and attending more call outs because of cuts to social care.

“This is an NHS crisis made in Downing Street that needs a holistic solution. I’m worried for patients and for hardworking paramedics who are being forced to make impossible choices”