Glyn Davies, Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire, is calling for Llanfyllin’s Ambulance Station to be retained, following concerns that the station is to be closed and Ambulances moved to Welshpool.
The Welsh Ambulance Services (WAS) NHS Trust are reviewing its services across Wales, citing challenges of changing population patterns, coupled with the differing needs of urban and rural areas. WAS aim to have 10 to 12 Ambulance Resource Stations across mid-Wales, and around 10 ‘Make Ready’ Depots in other area, which could be linked to Fire and Police stations.
WAS say that the options for Llanfyllin currently include keeping the Ambulance Station at its current site, ‘home base’ 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 could greatly diminish the target of 8 minute responses to calls.
Glyn Davies recently met with Llanfyllin Mayor Ann Williams and County Councillor Peter Lewis at Llanfyllin Fire Station, in order to survey the site and discuss the Town Council’s proposal in more detail.
Commenting on the situation, Glyn Davies MP said:
“I have visited Llanfyllin in response to concerns that have been raised to me by Mayor Ann Williams and Cllr Peter Lewis, regarding the Welsh Ambulance Services plans for the town’s ambulance station. 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 surrounding areas such as Llangynog and Llanwddyn.
“Having visited Llanfyllin Fire Station, the obvious answer is to relocate the Ambulance Service to the site, and I will be contacting the Welsh Ambulance Service to discuss this proposal.
“Whatever happens, the most important outcome is to ensure that an Ambulance Service is retained in Llanfyllin.“
