Ambulance trust denies claims 11 stations to close (From Ilkley Gazette)

Ambulance trust denies claims 11 stations to close

12:09pm Friday 14th September 2012 in Local news By Jonathan Redhead, Ilkley/Otley Reporter

A senior director last night hit back at claims 11 ambulance stations could disappear and said there are “no firm plans in place” for any closures in Yorkshire.

Rod Barnes, executive director of finance and perfo-rmance at Yorkshire Ambu-lance Service NHS Trust, dismissed reports suggesting 11 stations, including Menston, could be closed, and said he was speaking out against the reports to “reassure” the public.

He said the service is looking at possible changes relating to the formation and location of stations across the county, and the possib-ility of introducing a ‘hub and spoke’ model for towns and cities in Yorkshire.

“We would like to dismiss these claims and reassure members of the public that there are no firm plans in place to close any of our ambulance stations,” he said.

“We are simply planning for the future to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of our patients and the requirements of a modern ambulance service.

“The Trust is looking at the possibility of introducing a ‘hub and spoke’ model in some more urban parts of the county, but no firm plans have been discussed or approved at this stage.”

Mr Barnes also said any future plans for major change or reconfiguration of ambulance stations and services would be subject to consultation with people living in the county, and patients’ interests would always be a priority.

He added: “Patients’ interests are at the heart of everything we do, and any plans to change our estates configuration would support our ability to continue to deliver the highest quality, safe and responsive service to those calling 999 in Yorkshire and the Humber.

“We would also like to reassure members of the public any plans to change our estates configuration would be subject to consultation with staff and stakeholder organisations.”

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