The service was commended for treatment of drug users

However, it has been criticised for having varying pay rates for non-emergency staff doing the same job in different counties.

Inspectors from the Commission for Health Improvement commended the service for its policy in Nottinghamshire of not calling police in drug overdose cases.

It has increased the likelihood of drug users ringing for an ambulance.

Service merger

The service was also praised for pioneering the use of clot-busting drugs in the treatment of heart attack patients.

But the commission voiced concerns over pay rates for non-emergency transport staff.

Workers doing this job in Leicestershire are being paid more than in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire because different contracts were in force when the separate counties merged four years ago.