SAVE SHROPSHIRES AMBULANCE
999 CONTROL CENTRE IN SHREWSBURY.

This is a plea from the heart from a member of staff for the West Midland Ambulance Service working at the threatened 999 control centre in Shrewsbury based at Abbey Forgate serving the whole of SHROPSHIRE.
Make no mistake if we loose this valuable last link, we loose the ability to control what happens in our own County on a daily basis, and also in times of Emergency or Disaster.

TEN GOOD REASONS WHY SHROPSHIRE AMBULANCE CONTROL SHOULD STAY OPEN.

1. The majority of existing staff have over ten years experience in serving the people of Shropshire within this vast rural county we live in. They have excellent local Knowledge.
2. Each member of this experienced staff know the majority of telephone area codes, so if technology should fail an Ambulance can be mobilized to an area before the address has been obtained, this saves vital time.
3. The current staff knows without the use of a computer which ambulance station or ambulance, is located at a stand by location and the nearest response to any emergency call in any part of Shropshire. They also have a specific way of working so that if technology lets them down they would always know what each one of their vehicles was doing at the moment in time of the system failing.
4. The majority of calls received are from mobile phones “I’m by the post office in Shrewsbury! Don’t know the name of the Road.” “I’m between Shrewsbury and Craven Arms don’t know the number of Road.” The list is endless
The current control room staff know most of the answers, and how long it takes to get to a location. What happens when somebody is trying to get a crew to site without this valuable information?
5. We keep maintaining that our Ambulances stay in Shropshire but the reality stops when they try to take away our crews out of the county for non emergency calls in Birmingham Dudley etc. The current staff have been fighting hard to stop this happening as often as possible, but sadly sometimes over ruled by the powers that be. The current staff care, but how often will this happen when they are no longer there to fight our corner.
6. All staff have the best of relationships with their road staff because of how long they have been all doing the jobs as a team. This is an excellent advantage for many reasons with staff helping each other out, working over their hours, helping with staff shortfalls at times of sickness, does this happen in the larger services.
7. All calls are answered promptly in Shropshire, there are the odd times you are put on hold and asked to wait in a queue in the large centres Yes put on hold this certainly does not help if you live over in Bishops Castle, time is vital.
8. All our community first responders are know by all the staff, they know who they can call if not on shift if they are needed desperately, will this happen so efficiently from a large centre further away. I suggest not.
9. The staff knows all the short cuts and pit falls that the satellite navigation doesn’t often show. Time again that is essential.
10. Sixteen VERY DEDICATED MEMBERS OF STAFF will be able to continue to stay in their jobs and continue the good service we receive. If the control room closes Management say they will find other Employment for these staff, some being asked to travel miles from home, as much as a 70 mile round trip and also work a twelve hour shift on a rota basis 24/7 this just will not be realistic or efficient and certainly they will not be at their best. Why change things as we are told it’s not a cost cutting matter so why not do any system upgrades and let us work on as a team.