Station looks set to remain open

The ambulance station in Gainsborough looks set to remain open.
Gainsborough newsGainsborough news
Gainsborough news

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has released details of the report which makes recommendations for the future of local ambulance stations.

The report is due to be considered at a trust board meeting on Monday 25th March. The board will consider replacing its 65 stations with 11 large hubs, 16 stations and 108 smaller community ambulance posts.

Among the 16 stations is the one in Gainsborough.

Earlier proposals had suggested 13 ambulance hubs and 118 smaller community ambulance posts.

The ambulance service ran a public consultation in 2012 on the future of its infrastructure, but faced strong opposition to the reduction in the number of ambulance stations.

The new proposals means some of the stations, including Gainsborough, earmarked for closure will remain open.

Commenting on the publication of the board papers, Phil Milligan, EMAS chief executive, said: “The aim of our Being the Best change programme has always been to improve response times to emergency 999 calls and to improve the working lives of our frontline staff.”

“I am pleased our staff, and the people and organisations who have an interest in the service we provide have taken the time to be involved, to have their say and help to shape our plans.”

“In the true spirit of consultation, that is what has happened.”

“We’ve listened to the responses received during the consultation and we’ve developed and shaped our plans using that feedback.”

“Our service has got to change if we are to improve.”