Criticism over secrecy and 'shambolic' process as decision date on air ambulance base is postponed

But that meeting took place in secret so details of the discussions are not available to the public.

However, it has been revealed that no decision was made – and the final decision will now be passed to another committee, the 'NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee (JCC)'.

Tuesday, April 23, has been given as the date for the JCC to meet to make a decision.

Mid Wales residents were braced for the worst, with EASC documents revealing earlier this month that it was recommending closing the Welshpool and Caernarfon bases, to replace them with one new base in North Wales.

The issue has been hugely controversial for the people of Mid Wales, who have spoken of a loss of confidence in the process after three rounds of consultation did nothing to alter the recommendation to close their airbase, at Welshpool Airport.

In an update posted by the EASC it provided the reasons behind the delay in the decision, revealing that some of Wales' health boards wanted more information about recommendations.

It said an updated version would now be provided to health boards, who "will be required to consider these recommendations at a meeting held in public".

The EASC added: "The final decision will then be taken by the new NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee and will of course be discussed at a meeting held in public.

"That decision in turn will depend upon the responses from health boards."

Speaking as the latest developments unfolded, Montgomeryshire's Conservative Senedd member Russell George said there had been an 'appalling' lack of transparency over the process, which he described as "shambolic".

He said: "Ever since the plans to close Welshpool’s base were haphazardly leaked out in August 2022, the ensuing consultation and process has been just so poor."

He added: "So, the meeting, that was due to make a final decision today on whether to close Welshpool and Caernarfon’s Air Ambulance bases on not, is taking place in private.

"I can’t think of any logical reason why this meeting can’t be in public, or at least recorded so we can listen to what is being discussed and agreed.

"We are also told that a final decision will not be made today, but will be made by a new committee that is taking over from the current one next month.

"This is an issue of such importance to the people of Mid and North Wales, the lack of information and transparency is appalling.

"There is no strong case that has been presented to close the Welshpool base, and no case for change.

"Will be taking up again with the Health Minister, and asking her once again to now intervene and end this ridiculous process, and confirm that all bases currently in operation, including the well-placed base in Mid Wales, remains in operation."