Far too often our ambulances are stuck outside our major hospitals such as Telford, Shrewsbury or Wrecsam, resulting in ambulances being drafted in from other parts of Montgomeryshire to relieve the pressures in Welshpool or Newtown, but in doing so undermine the cover in places such as Machynlleth, Llanfyllin or Llanidloes.
This is a particular problem at night where a crew from Machynlleth will be called to Newtown only to then end up in Telford or even Hereford hospitals to cover cases from Knighton or Presteigne.
We already have a situation where Llanfyllin and Llanidloes stations are closed at night, we understand there’s a real threat that will happen also in due course at Machynlleth meaning that most of Montgomeryshire will have hardly any cover at night. Bearing in mind that Tywyn and Bala stations are also closed at night and that the Dolgellau ambulance is often drawn towards the northern half of Gwynedd, it means that most of South Gwynedd and North Powys could have hardly any cover at night.
We are therefore calling on the Ambulance Trust for:
· all Ambulance stations in Powys to be 24hr this to include:
· extending Llanidloes and Llanfyllin stations to 24hr
· keep Machynlleth 24hr and not cut it as threatened
· provide extra ambulance for Newtown and Welshpool
We want a coordinated, sensible approach that ensure all our rural communities can have the same level of service as urban settings. This doesn’t involve a huge cost, but it does ensure that lives will be saved.
Proposed by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan
Seconded by County Councillor Bryn Davies
Minutes:
County Councillor Claire Mills left the meeting at 14.11.
County Councillor David Thomas did not take part in this part of the meeting having declared an interest.
Council debated the following notice of motion proposed by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Bryn Davies.
“Far too often our ambulances are stuck outside our major hospitals such as Telford, Shrewsbury or Wrecsam, resulting in ambulances being drafted in from other parts of Montgomeryshire to relieve the pressures in Welshpool or Newtown, but in doing so undermine the cover in places such as Machynlleth, Llanfyllin or Llanidloes.
This is a particular problem at night where a crew from Machynlleth will be called to Newtown only to then end up in Telford or even Hereford hospitals to cover cases from Knighton or Presteigne.
We already have a situation where Llanfyllin and Llanidloes stations are closed at night, we understand there’s a real threat that will happen also in due course at Machynlleth meaning that most of Montgomeryshire will have hardly any cover at night. Bearing in mind that Tywyn and Bala stations are also closed at night and that the Dolgellau ambulance is often drawn towards the northern half of Gwynedd, it means that most of South Gwynedd and North Powys could have hardly any cover at night.
We are therefore calling on the Ambulance Trust for:
· all Ambulance stations in Powys to be 24hr this to include:
· extending Llanidloes and Llanfyllin stations to 24hr
· keep Machynlleth 24hr and not cut it as threatened
· provide extra ambulance for Newtown and Welshpool
We want a coordinated, sensible approach that ensure all our rural communities can have the same level of service as urban settings. This doesn’t involve a huge cost, but it does ensure that lives will be saved.”
Councillors noted that this was an issue affecting the whole of the county with several relating personal experiences affecting family members and neighbours. The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care noted that the upcoming roll out of home support would help reduce demand for ambulance services and she suggested that the issue be raised at the Regional Partnership Board which she chaired and which was attended by representatives of the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust. A Member suggested that the Council assist the Community Health Council with surveying Powys residents with their views on ambulance services. Members felt that it would be useful for a representative of the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust to attend a Council meeting to talk about ambulance coverage in the county and answer Members’ questions. The mover of the motion indicated that he supported the suggestions made in the debate but would like to put the motion as drafted.
By 40 votes to 3 with 6 abstentions it was
RESOLVED to call on the Ambulance Trust for
· all Ambulance stations in Powys to be 24 hour this to include:
· extending Llanidloes and Llanfyllin stations to 24 hours
· keep Machynlleth 24 hours and not cut it as threatened and
· provide extra ambulances for Newtown and Welshpool.