Ambulance bosses to address Market Drayton council over wait times

Ambulance bosses will be called to address north Shropshire councillors over their concerns about emergency ambulance cover in the area.

At a meeting last night, Market Drayton town councillors voted unanimously to ask senior ambulance officials to answer claims that the town was being left unmanned because ambulances were being sent to cover Shrewsbury and Telford.

During the meeting, town mayor Councillor Roger Smith read out a letter he had sent to North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson claiming Market Drayton residents faced at least a 30-minute wait for an ambulance.

His concerns were echoed by former mayor Councillor Val Taylor who revealed that she faced a two-hour wait after requesting an ambulance for her granddaughter six weeks ago.

She said: "I had reason to call an ambulance for my granddaughter and was told there was a two-hour wait."

Councillor Smith said: "Recently, the ambulance staff based in Market Drayton have become most concerned that the station is now left unmanned for long periods of time due to the fact that Telford and Shrewsbury are now seen as higher priority areas as a result of an ambulance service change in ethos."

Councillor Smith claimed that ambulance control centre staff had been instructed by management to ensure that three ambulances each were available "at all times" in Shrewsbury and Telford, leaving Market Drayton and other stations uncovered.

Ambulance bosses have denied there has been a reduction in emergency ambulances serving the area and said it was continuing to "dispatch its emergency resources in the most efficient way possible."