Market Drayton mayor in ambulance stations row

A war of words has broken out between ambulance officials and a north Shropshire mayor over the future of stations across the county, a meeting heard.

Market Drayton Town Council heard claims last night that West Midlands Ambulance Service has plans to close down and sell outlying ambulance stations across the county as part of a cost-cutting drive.

The claims say the plans are part of the service's bid to achieve NHS foundation trust status.

Councillors warned the move could cost lives. But a spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said today there were no firm plans to close the stations, but each would be looked at individually and either relocated or brought up to standard.

Last night's meeting was told the shake-up would see ambulance stations close in places like Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Oswestry, Craven Arms and Bridgnorth. They would be replaced by outposts, staffed in many cases by trained paramedics.

Councillor Roger Smith, Mayor of Market Drayton, said during a recent meeting with senior WMAS officials he was told about the true nature of the proposals.

He said: "I asked about rumours that Whitchurch ambulance station is going to close down. I was told it will close down and be sold off, possibly to the police.

"Market Drayton will be reduced to one paramedic car which will be manned by trained paramedics so they can still meet their targets.

"But there will be no ambulances based in Market Drayton." He said: "I asked how long they expected ambulances would take to get here and they said 'hopefully 15 minutes'."

Councillor Roger Hughes warned the proposals would "lead to deaths" because fewer patients would reach hospital within the "golden hour" after falling ill.

Councillors backed a proposal to lobby WMAS for a full consultation on any changes.

Chris Kowalik, a spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "Where we are in Whitch-urch and Market Drayton, and the other towns, we will continue to be, but it may be in a different location."

By Tom Johannsen and James Pugh