Minister claims no final decision made on Air Ambulance

Residents in Newtown and the surrounding areas have expressed their concerns following a recent report recommending the closure of Welshpool's Air Ambulance base.

The final report, which has sparked outrage among Mid Wales residents, outlines recommendations that would see the closure of the base, despite overwhelming opposition from the community.

  Other Trending Stories

• MP calls on regulator to investigate school
• Rory raises over £500 with annual cycle
• Fire Service budget to rise by 6.3%
• Water company given green light on investment plans

Montgomeryshire MS Russell George raised his concerns in the Senedd today, highlighting the fact that the proposed alternative base would only cover 25% of Wales' population within 30 minutes by air, compared to the current coverage of 40% by the Welshpool base. Mr George also pointed out that a large portion of Mid Wales would experience significantly slower response times if the base were to close.

Responding to Mr George, the Health Minister, Eluned Morgan MS said:

"You asked about the impact of the statement that has been made in terms of the engagement. I've today asked for further written assurances on the level of engagement and how that engagement has shaped the decision to recommend a consolidation of bases, alongside other factors used to shape the recommendation. So, I've asked for that in writing just to make sure that I'm absolutely clear that there has been an impact in terms of listening to the people. I've also asked what are my legal powers to intervene in relation to this. It will clearly not be a decision for me, in the sense that I'm somebody who represents the area that may be impacted and, obviously, would have to pass on any consideration to somebody else in the Government."

Following the exchange in the Senedd today between the Montgomeryshire MS and the Health Minister, Mr George said:

"Analysis of the full-service review document, recommending closure, showed that while Welshpool covers 40% of Wales' population within 30 minutes by air, the proposed alternative base only covers 25%."

"Maps published as part of the report also show clearly that a large proportion of Mid Wales, from the coast to the border, will be significantly worse off in response times compared to current position."

"Closing Welshpool base cannot be an option. This is why I asked the Minister to intervene. I pointed out to the Minister that we have consistently been told nobody would be worse off with changes to the service. The recommendations that have now become public, would lead to slower response times for us in mid Wales. There's no doubt about that."

"I also questioned what impact the engagement process had. Many will feel this was a done deal from the start. The Minister has claimed that no final decision has been made, so she along with her Welsh Government colleagues now have the opportunity to intervene."

Mr George, along with campaigners and local MP Craig Williams, are urging individual health boards to reject the proposals during their own opportunity to comment in the coming days.

They are calling on Powys Teaching Health Board to take into consideration the unique needs of the area and to reject any proposal that would be detrimental to the people of Mid Wales.