Bransford Ambulance EOC Staff And Richard Burt Launch Alternative Proposal To Trust's Closure Plans

5.36.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 17th Aug 2007

Bransford EOC staff campaigners Mike Clarke, Melissa Price, Liz Kabani and Ken Dunkley with Richard Burt (centre) launching the alternative proposal.

Bransford EOC staff and Richard Burt, the newly appointed Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Health in the West Midlands and Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire, today launched their joint alternative proposal for the reconfiguration of ambulance emergency call centres across the West Midlands region.

Lead staff campaigner, Liz Kabani said: "Any new drugs need rigorous testing over many years to establish if any side affects may cause harm to even one patient. The Trust's current proposal potentially effects every one of the 722,500 people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire with evidence from only one research document.

"Our alternative proposal however, uses existing best practice, upgraded to meet the necessary requirements and would safeguard the future of Hereford and Worcestershire's ambulance service."

The joint proposal will be sent to the Trust on Wednesday 22 August, when it will also be placed on the http://saveyoureoc.co.uk website. Until then, staff and Mr. Burt will be sending the document to local interest groups, media, Members of Parliament, Parliamentary Candidates and Councillors across the two counties to ask for their support.

Richard Burt said: "This is a genuinely viable proposal. It offers a more flexible and therefore more resilient emergency operations network for the West Midlands, delivered within a similar financial envelope to the Trust's closure plan, but preserving the excellent service already provided at Bransford.

"The future of our local ambulance cover should transcend traditional divisions and rivalries. I am confident we can get broad support for this proposal and call on all parties, groups and individuals to back our proposal in the best interests of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.