news story

26th December 2007

MP in New Year Challenge to Ambulance Service over Frenchay Closure

Northavon MP Steve Webb is to issue a new year challenge to the Great Western Ambulance Service over the impact of plans to downgrade Frenchay Hospital on emergency journey times. The MP will be writing to the Chief Executive of the Ambulance Trust, Tim Lynch, asking for his estimate of rush-hour journey times to Frenchay and Southmead from areas such as Frampton Cotterell, Yate, and outlying villages in the Cotswold Edge.

Steve Webb said:

"Everybody knows that it can be a nightmare to get to Southmead in the rush hour from places such as Yate and Frampton Cotterell, and by the time you look at outlying villages such as Hawkesbury Upton it is far from clear that Southmead would be the right hospital to go to.

"Expert evidence shows that every second is vital in an emergency yet we have never had a straight answer from the Ambulance service as to how much extra time journeys will take once Frenchay is effectively closed. I understand that some people can be treated at the scene, but others need transporting rapidly to a casualty department, and this is where the real time loss is going to occur".

The MP said he would be working with his Liberal Democrat colleagues on South Gloucestershire Council to ask the Ambulance Trust for 'straight answers to straight questions' about journey times now and in the future. The Ambulance Trust are due to give evidence to councillors on the 'health scrutiny committee' early in the New Year.

Steve Webb said:

"The decision to downgrade Frenchay flies in the face of common sense. Local people deserve straight answers about how many lives will be put at risk by these plans which must not be allowed to go through on the nod".