The news we all feared – EASC (Welsh Ambulance Service Committee) are likely to confirm publicly this week that both Welshpool and Caernarfon bases will close as per EASC original plan.
This leaves a huge part of central and west Wales with inevitably slower Air Ambulance response times, as stated in commissioner Stephen Harrhy’s September 23 report to phase 2 engagement meetings that we saw.
It confirmed that as much as 477,159 – yes truly 477,159 of the population – would receive slower response time in event of emergency in areas mentioned.
Not only that we will lose the rapid response road vehicles as well.
OTHER NEWS:
- Newtown bridge installation delayed - but on track for spring opening
- Powys McDonald's found to be the most dangerous for assaults in Dyfed-Powys
- Suspended jail for French woman who caused Powys hospital motorbike crash
No amount of window dressing with promised changes to and a different form of service can change the geography where we live.
Distance means time wasted in the air responding to a life threatening situation in Mid Wales or West Wales,.
With no major hospital we are clearly more vulnerable and at risk so closing our base can have a devastating consequence for us.
We cannot just leave this fight to our politicians and Social Media Save the base groups who have campaigned on our behalf but must be ready to support them in showing EASC that we will not accept the closure. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
So come on let’s get behind this cause and show we won’t stand by and see our rural lives valued less than those living close to A55 and M4.
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