Ambulance station is under threat

More than 70 jobs are being axed by the North West Ambulance Service Trust (NWAS) which has to save £10.5m from its annual budget.

Trust bosses are also looking at closing some of its stations across the region, with the Ramsbottom base on Cemetery Road among those on the initial list for review.

Darren Hurrell, Chief Executive, said: “North West Ambulance Service, in line with all NHS trusts, needs to make cost improvement savings.

“For NWAS, this equates to £10.5 million each year for the next four years.

“In order to meet these cost savings, the trust is currently reviewing its services, infrastructure and corporate services to look at ways in which it can work differently. Our aim, as always, is to always protect our frontline operational services where possible.

“The trust currently operates out of 114 ambulance stations across the North West and is exploring opportunities to move some stations to shared/other accommodation without affecting the performance or level of resources in the area.

“It’s important to remember that it is not always the case that responding vehicles are from the nearest station.

“Other considerations are to ensure staff can be accommodated at appropriate sites and maintenance and running costs are minimised.”

He said although there is a possibility that some ambulance stations will close, no final decisions have been made.