WELSHPOOL mayor Alison Davies has questioned the findings of the Wales Air Ambulance study being used to support its controversial planned closure of its base near the town.

Ambulance officials have pitched a plan to axe its mid Wales base in favour of moving to north Wakes using the argument that a study supported its case it would help the service reach more people in need,

Cllr Davies said: "The proposed closure on Wales Air Ambulance location at Mid Wales Airport has been met with very considerable concern.

"At this stage there has been little opportunity for scrutiny of the modelling on which the charity is basing its proposal but what can be seen from the statement on their website does not appear to support the case to move."

The charity claims "extensive independent data modelling suggests the most beneficial and efficient service delivery model for Wales would be locating two helicopters and two crews in north Wales" while extending its hours of operation.

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The charity insists this would mean patients in north Wales, Powys and Ceredigion with life or limb-threatening illness or injuries after 8pm will have a more localised response rather than needing the busy Cardiff-based overnight crew.

Cllr Davies said: "The first of these bullet points in their statement, emphasises that closure of the mid Wales facility is under discussion."

"However, the other three are key to improving the efficiency of the service and none requires a move from Welshpool. In fact, the advantage of a multi locational service, surely includes the ability to fly from an alternative base when weather conditions are an issue in Gwynedd.”

"The communities in mid Wales have not only benefitted enormously from the Wales Air Ambulance, but they have all raised considerable sums to support the charity over the years.

"To even consider pulling the Air Ambulance service out of the most rural county in Wales is extraordinary. I know personally of accidents when no other emergency medical support could have reached the location."

“Extending the hours of operation and increasing cover to 18 hours and efficient scheduling of maintenance are surely sensible changes.

"The investment needed to have night vision helicopters would be of value, so surely maintaining the goodwill of the communities who fundraise so diligently is a vital consideration in any change modelling.."

Cllr Davies urged members of the public to make their views known to political leaders.

She said: "t is important that individuals make their views known other than on social media, so please write to your MP, MS, County Councillor, Town or Community Council so that formal responses will include the number of people and their reasons for holding such views."