Agenda item

Proposer: Cllr. Matthew Woolfall Jones

Seconder: Y Cyng. / Cllr. Bryan Davies

Council notes that:

The residents of Ceredigion are deeply concerned in light of The Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s intention to change the ambulance and emergency vehicles’ provision within the county. 

The Welsh Ambulance Service’s intention, which has already been presented to its employees, is to reduce the number of ambulances in Cardigan and Aberystwyth stations from 4 to 2 during the day, and to limit the use of a Rapid Response Vehicle.   The one ambulance in New Quay Ambulance Station and the one in Lampeter Ambulance Station will remain. 

Ambulances in Ceredigion often have to transfer patients out of county to specialist hospitals in Shrewsbury and Cardiff.  The Trust provides a vital service responding to accidents and emergencies throughout the county and is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 

Ceredigion County Council calls for the following:                                                                                                                      

·         That the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust continues to maintain the current number of ambulances and Rapid Response Vehicles (RRV) and that this number is increased in order to ensure adequate provision for the residents of Ceredigion.

·          That a letter is written to Eluned Morgan, MS, Minister for Health and Social Services in the Welsh Government,  requesting her to intervene to ensure that The Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust does not implement these changes. 

Councillor Matthew Woolfall Jones thanked Councillor Gareth Davies for the preparatory work done in bringing this Notice of Motion.  He also thanked Ambulance Staff for highlighting their concern, their dedication and work which is of an extremely high standard.  It was noted that as part of a restructure, the Ambulance Service were planning to reduce the number of ambulances available in Aberystwyth and Cardigan during the day, and to limit the use of the rapid response unit outside of normal working hours. It was noted that the decision is on hold at the current moment, however it was recommended that the Council write to the Minister for Health and Social Services in the Welsh Government, and to put pressure on the Ambulance Service to ensure that there is no reduction to the service.  Councillor Bryan Davies noted that he was happy to second this motion in the absence of Councillor Gareth Davies.

Members noted their concerns in relation to the current waiting times for an ambulance, and the effect that any reduction would have on this.  Members also noted that due to the geography of the area ambulances have to travel long distances, and also transfer patients to hospitals outside the county such as the regional Cardiac Unit at Morriston, the Orthopaedics unit at Llanelli and the Oncology unit at Swansea.  There is also a significant increase in the population of the County during the Summer which needs to be taken into account.   It was noted that the ambulance station at New Quay no longer exists and that this service feeds out of the Aberaeron Ambulance Station, and that Fire Stations are also equipped with an emergency response unit and defibrillators.

Following a vote, it was RESOLVED unanimously to agree the motion as presented.