Second ambulance hub may be created in Redditch or Bromsgrove (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Second ambulance hub may be created in Redditch or Bromsgrove

5:40pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in News

THE board of West Midlands Ambulance Service is to consider a recommendation that it introduce the ‘Make Ready’ scheme into Worcestershire using a two hub model, rather than just having one hub in Worcester.

The proposal to have just one hub, in the south of the county, had concerned many Redditch residents, who felt that people living in the town, and surrounding areas, would have their 999 calls dealt with slower.

And a group of Labour councillors, led by Councillor Rebecca Blake, Labour Parliamentary spokesman for Redditch, called on the ambulance service to considering introducing a second hub in Redditch, as well as the one in Worcester.

Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Mark Gough, who leads the trust’s transformational team, said: “While proceeding on a single site solution brought many advantages, simply finding one big enough has proved problematic.

“Our alternative plan has always been to look at a two site option, as we did in Shropshire with the hubs in Shrewsbury and Telford.”

The options are to have Site 1 in Worcester, and Site 2 in Bromsgrove, or Site 1 in Worcester and Site 2 in Redditch.

Mr Gough added: “The final decision will be taken at our board meeting on Wednesday, July 25, which is open to the public to attend, should they wish to.”

Coun Blake said: "I was really pleased to hear the trust are now considering having a second ambulance hub in north Worcestershire to serve Redditch and surrounding areas, after Labour councillors recently asked full council to support a second hub in Redditch.

“While the announcement from West Midlands Ambulance Service is reassuring, we will keep asking for a second hub for north Worcestershire, preferably based in Redditch, until we are completely satisfied that we will get one.”