HEALTH service fleets were forced to cut back journeys as a result of the blockades. A statement released by the Department of Health said: 'It is all very well for those organising the blockades to claim they are letting out fuel for emergency services but it's no use having an ambulance full of fuel if the drivers, paramedics and hospital staff cannot get to work.'

John Dewar, transport manager at Local Health Partnerships NHS Trust, said: 'As well as ambulances we have cars for 400 nurses and doctors. We had to cut down on health care visits - reducing the number of calls from three to two a week.'