Health bosses will not be drawn on future of Gainsborough Ambulance Station
Health bosses have refused to confirm a West Lindsey MP's claim that Gainsborough Ambulance Station will remain open.
Gainsborough MP Edward Leigh said he left a meeting with East Midlands Ambulance Service feeling "optimistic" about the site's future. He claimed the station, on the Corringham Road industrial estate, was on a list of those to be spared from closure.
But EMAS, which is reviewing the future of all sites in Lincolnshire, says no decision has been made and refused to be drawn on Mr Leigh's comments. EMAS, which covers eight neighbouring counties, is considering a modernisation programme which could see 66 full-time stations cut to 13.
Mr Leigh's comments came after a meeting with EMAS chief executive Phil Milligan. He said he believed a victory had been achieved in his long-running campaign to save the ambulance station.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
"Phil Milligan assured me that the station in Gainsborough was likely to remain open and even had potential to be upgraded to a fleet management centre," Mr Leigh said.
"As a former chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, I am enthusiastic about driving efficiency within taxpayer-funded services.
"This means improving services without bloating costs. I am glad that we have managed to finally agree in principle to keep our ambulance station open. An ambulance will remain in Market Rasen to respond to call-outs in the eastern part of the constituency.
"When people need an ambulance, they need one immediately. I could never support cuts to the service levels and response time for my constituents. I am glad that this meeting with Phil Milligan has delivered the outcome we wanted – proposals for an improved ambulance service and Gainsborough Ambulance Station remaining open."
But the regional service would not be drawn on the claim and insisted that nothing had changed since it announced that a board meeting would consider a full report at the end of March.
"Since the closure of our three-month consultation we have been collating the feedback and responses received," EMAS said. "On Monday, January 28, the final plans will be reviewed and discussed at a trust board meeting.
"Any decision reached at this meeting will be communicated to staff and to the public. But no decision can become final until the trust board meets on March 25."
Comments