Gainsborough ambulance station at risk

Ambulance stations across the region, including the Miller Road station on Corringham Road Industrial Estate, could be closed or refurbished under plans outlined in the Estate Strategy.

The proposals, which will be decided by the end of July, could also see more vehicles parked in public places awaiting 999 calls and managerial posts cuts over five years.

A number of ‘hubs’ could be created across the region under the plans, and around 65 ‘inefficient’ stations closed as the Trust said it would cost £13m to bring them up to NHS standards.

EMAS chief executive Phil Milligan said the Trust needs to look at new ways of working following a ‘significant’ increase in the number of emergency calls over the past decade.

“This has resulted in most (of the calls) being responded to by ambulance crews already out on the road. For the majority of the day our stations are empty,” he said.

“In light of this we are looking at having fewer ambulance stations but there will be better facilities at each so we can be sure each ambulance is clean, well maintained and fully stocked at the start of each shift.”

Mr Milligan said they were exploring a ‘hub and spoke’ model with ‘tactical deployment’ facilities - all of which he hoped would help to generate a better ‘team spirit’ among staff members.