A DISPUTE over ambulance crews being forced to take unpaid meal breaks has been settled.

Previously crews were paid for meal breaks, like their colleagues in the fire and police services, but would work through mealtimes if called out.

But last year, bosses at Greater Manchester Ambulance Service (GMAS) said they would not be paid for meal breaks and ambulance controllers would tell paramedics when to stop work and take their meals.

Unions said it would have meant paramedics would be unavailable for call-out, even if they were the nearest crew.

Now, GMAS has agreed to pay crews an annual 'availability' payment.

A spokesman said: "Greater Manchester Ambulance Service has reviewed its meal management system which has been developed in partnership between management and staff and made some adjustments.

"This includes an annual payment to staff for their availability to be on-call during meal times to respond to emergencies.

"The system fits with the national Agenda for Change requirements and we will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure this is the best option for both staff and patients."

Craig Wilde, Unison branch secretary for GMAS, said that crews were happy with the arrangement adding: "This is a better deal all round."

In July, paramedics told the Bolton Evening News that in an emergency lives could be in danger if an ambulance has to travel from further away.

But ambulance bosses denied the measures would have put patients at risk.