HAMPSHIRE'S 999 ambulance service has been accused of undercharging for its controversial "ambulance-for-hire" service.

Critics claim it means taxpayers in the county are footing the shortfall.

The Daily Echo revealed that Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust rents out its vehicles and crews to private events, even while it is failing to meet its public service requirements.

A private ambulance boss spoke out to claim that the £67-per-hour bill is uneconomic and said that taxpayers are subsidising the "ambulance-for-hire" service.

Ted Hamilton, owner of Trans-medical Ambulance Service in Southampton, said: "They are grossly undercharging. For £67 per hour plus VAT there is no way that you could put an ambulance on the road.

"The maintenance charges, cleaning costs, office administration, communication system, running costs, insurance and crew wages must all be added into the hiring charge.

"So why should the taxpayer subsidise private use of NHS ambulances when they cannot meet their own commitments to the general public?

"This is a scandal and needs to be exposed."

Mike Cassidy, the ambulance service's operations manager, said: "We already have the infrastructure in place in terms of communications, vehicles, staff training, etc. So from that point of view our costs are minimal.

"The service is provided at a marginal cost because there are public safety requirements which are moral and legal obligations.

"Also we are not run for profit."

In August this year Hampshire's ambulance service failed to meet its government target of responding to 75 per cent of all highest priority calls within eight minutes.

Bosses claim the service is underfunded. Insiders say the targets are unachievable.

One ambulance technician said: "What is obvious to most crews in the service targets that are not achievable with the lack of resources available."

However he defended the "ambulance-for-hire" service, claiming "it is only fair" that the trust should be able to compete for custom.

Fareham MP Mark Hoban has pledged to find out what impact the "ambulance-for-hire" service is having on front-line services.