EOC Consultation Branded "A Whitewash"

3.34.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Oct 2007

Bransford EOC staff and Richard Burt (the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Health in the West Midlands and Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire) today slammed the West Midlands Ambulance Service Trust's consultation feedback meeting for being inaccurate and misleading.

After the meeting, Richard Burt said: "The Trust's consultation has proven to be nothing more than a whitewash.

"So much of the feedback to the Board was devalued because it was proved to be inaccurate and slanted favourably towards the Trust's single proposal.

"Instead, we have witnessed the Trust's attempt to force a bitter pill down the throats of local people against their wishes.

"People in Worcestershire are fearful that they will receive a second class service if the emergency control is transferred to the Black Country, and I have heard nothing to change my mind.

"The Trust should tear the whole thing up and start again, giving everyone a chance to comment on the alternatives."

Lead staff campaigner, Liz Kabani commented: "The Trust has given inadequate analysis of our alternative proposal and other comments from the public, has failed to provide adequate costing for their proposal and has ridden roughshod over public opinion in Worcestershire, which clearly wants to see Bransford retained.

"Reactions from local councils, Primary Care Trusts and individuals from across the region have shown that there is as much resistance to the Trust's proposal as support for it.

"We urge the Trust's Board once more, to heed these calls and start a new consultation with a range of options so that we can find a better way to manage ambulance cover in the West Midlands."