COLUMN: It’s crunch time for Welshpool Air Ambulance base

Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams shares his views ahead of this week’s final vote.

“The people of Mid Wales have been dealt another blow, as a final decision over plans to close the Air Ambulance bases at both Welshpool and Caernarfon was delayed once again, with a decision now expected to be made next week.

This, in itself, speaks volumes.

The idea that the “consolidation” of both bases into a single site in North Wales was ever going to cater to the medical needs of the people of Mid Wales was always a contentious one.

Make no mistake, the term “consolidation” was always code for cost-cutting, hence the almost immediate outrage from our community.

Even more puzzling was the further recommendation by the Emergency Ambulance Services Committee to implement, in its place, a “special emergency road service”. Not only would this option be deeply unsatisfactory for a rural area like Montgomeryshire, no one can tell us how much it will cost!

Those making the decisions seem to also forget that Montgomeryshire is larger than Greater London. All it takes is for one wild weather event, or one road closure, mixed with the sheer size of the county, and a patient’s access to urgent medical treatment is severely delayed.

The Powys Teaching Health Board and Betsi Cadwaladr clearly understand this too, hence their opposition to the plans.

I understand just how vital the Air Ambulance service is to our area. That is why, since first hearing of these recommendations, Russell George MS (pictured on the right with Mr Williams at Welshpool base) and I have been adamant and campaigned so strongly for the need to keep the Welshpool Air Ambulance base open.

Over the years, many local residents have benefitted from this service, donated to and fundraised for this vital lifeline which proves its importance to Montgomeryshire. That is why the feedback process saw so many statements pleading for no change to the bases.

Indeed, as I have previously mentioned, the Welsh Chief Ambulance Commissioner’s own report shows that within an air-time of 30 minutes, Welshpool’s base covers 40% of Wales’ population, whereas the new proposed base in Rhuddlan would only cover 25%.

How does that make sense? It doesn’t. The past 18 months have caused unnecessary anxiety and frustration for the people of Montgomeryshire over the future of a service they care deeply about.

So, let’s hope the right decision is made next week by the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee."