Shift Mid Wales ambulance to fire station, MP says
The "obvious answer" to ensuring an ambulance station remains in Llanfyllin is to relocate it to the town's fire station, the area's MP has said.
Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies said it was important to retain an ambulance station in the town. The Welsh Ambulance Service is currently reviewing its services across Wales to meet challenges of changing population patterns, coupled with the differing needs of urban and rural areas.
Ambulance bosses aim to have 10 to 12 ambulance resource stations across Mid Wales and about 10 depots in other areas, which could be linked to fire and police stations.
Options for Llanfyllin include keeping the ambulance station at its current site, having the ambulances at Welshpool with a local base for staff at Llanfyllin Fire Station and an as yet unidentified third option which would seek to provide the best possible service within limited resources.
Llanfyllin Town Council has proposed that the ambulance service move in completely with the fire service, rather than being based in Welshpool, which campaigners say would greatly diminish the target of eight minute responses to calls.
Glyn Davies met Llanfyllin Mayor Ann Williams and County Councillor Peter Lewis at Llanfyllin Fire Station to discuss the town council's proposal in more detail.
Mr Davies said: "There are deep concerns that the town will lose its ambulance service altogether, which would not only have a severe effect on Llanfyllin, but would also heavily impact upon areas such as Llangynog and Llanwddyn. Having visited Llanfyllin Fire Station, the obvious answer is to relocate the ambulance service there and I will be contacting the Welsh Ambulance Service to discuss this. The most important outcome is to ensure that an Ambulance Service is retained in Llanfyllin."
