THE boss of Wiltshire Ambulance Trust has denied there is a problem with the cleaning of ambulances despite claims from a paramedic that dirty vehicles are putting patients' health at risk.

Paul Gates, director of operations for the Wiltshire Ambulance Trust, said there was no evidence travelling in an ambulance posed any more risk of infection than sitting in an ordinary car.

The medic, however, feared efforts to eradicate the superbug MRSA could all be for nothing as ambulances ferry patients to Swindon's flagship GWH in unclean vehicles.

This was backed up by Jeff White, Wiltshire union secretary for the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel, based at the training centre at Greenways in Chippenham.

Mr White said pressure on time and the emphasis on achieving an eight-minute response had squeezed cleaning out of the timetable.

"It is a concern and it's something we've voiced time and time again at meetings," he said.

"Basically the ambulances are never cleaned. They're just cleaned on the outside.

"There is a risk of infection absolutely there's bound to be."

But Mr Gates said: "An ambulance is very different to a hospital. A hospital is an enclosed, warm environment while an ambulance is a cold environment and doesn't breed bugs so readily."

Last week Mr Gates admitted deep-cleaning of ambulances was done on a haphazard basis.

The medic, who does not wish to be named, said he was so worried about the situation that he would not want to be a patient on his own ambulance.

"The ambulances are disgusting. They're not being deep-cleaned properly to prevent cross infection," he said.

Although crews mop up blood and other bodily fluids using alcohol wipes, the experienced paramedic claims deep-cleaning is not being carried out.

Mr Gates said the ambulance crew kept the vehicle generally clean and tidy.

"They do have the facilities to clean the vehicle if blood or bodily fluids are spilled," he said. "It's a matter of good basic hygiene."

But the paramedic on the ground claims time and money is not being invested to make this happen.

He said: "We're asked to clean the ambulances between jobs but we can't always do that due to the workload."

He said: "The wards at the hospital may be clean but who takes the patients there? We do. Unknowingly, we could be taking someone with MRSA to the hospital then our next job could be a road traffic accident where the patient has open wounds."

However the cleaning process will be boosted in April when new vehicle cleaners and stockers are introduced.

Under the new regime ambulances will receive a pressure clean and restock every month.

"We will ensure that vehicles are cleaned by professionals," Mr Gates said. "That will happen when we get the funding, which is expected in April.

"I can take ambulances off the road but how am I going to get the casualty to hospital? I'm caught between the devil and the deep blue sea."

Wiltshire Ambulance Trust has 34 ambulances to cover the entire county's emergency medical needs. At any one time, 22 are at its disposal.