Press Release
Dear Sir,
Readers will be aware of West Midlands Ambulance Service Trust's plans to
reconfigure the region's emergency call centres.
The Trust wants to close our local centre at Bransford, along with one at
Shrewsbury, and to create two regional centres at Brierley Hill and Stafford.
There would also be a support centre at Leamington Spa.
It claims the move will create a more resilient service for patients and resolve
current communication problems between the five existing centres.
Whilst staff and I fully understand the West Midlands needs a more coherent
approach to tackling emergencies, we believe that the Trust’s plan would only
jeopardise an excellent local service for local people.
The current plan foresees staff from Bransford moving to Brierley Hill. Some may
choose not to move, or will be unable to transfer because of the distance they
would have to travel to work. In future, nearly all employees will naturally be
recruited from the Black Country and none from Worcestershire or Herefordshire.
As someone who once worked for the Fire Service in an emergency call centre, I
understand the importance of local knowledge to providing first class emergency
cover. The current situation needs resolving, but not at the expense of
Bransford EOC.
Staff currently work twelve hour shifts. Would any responsible employer expect
staff to drive to and from Worcestershire or Herefordshire through rush hour
traffic around Merry Hill, making a fifteen hour working day?
There must be a third way. That is why staff and I are campaigning to find a
viable alternative which still provides that important local service from
Bransford.
We have nine weeks to save our Ambulance call centre and prevent what would
amount to a real and detrimental cut to the emergency care of people across the
county.
I urge all readers to visit www.saveyoureoc.co.uk to add their support.
Richard Burt
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, West Worcestershire
(Ash Villa, 363 Worcester Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 1AN. Tel: 07970
713 032)
Back to
Press Releases