http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/This blog is for staff within Shropshire Ambulance Service and more importantly the public of Shropshire to share their views and hopefully make some difference in the decision to be made in the summer , please leave your comments thank you en-EUMokoFeed10http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/d8/1498108bb1ad6907aabc17301ff359_160x200.jpghttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/10/12/sorry_people_of_shropshire~3125102/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-10-12:/2007/10/12/sorry_people_of_shropshire~3125102/Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:16:58 +0200 <p>AFTER BEING AT THE LATEST TRUST BOARD MEETING ON TUESDAY IN REDDITCH , IT HAS BECOME CLEAR TO ME THAT WE THE PEOPLE OF SHROPSHIRE HAVE BEEN IGNORED WITH REGARD TO OUR VIEWS ON THE CLOSURE OF THE AMBULANCE CONTROL ROOM IN SHREWSBURY </p> <p>NEARLY 16000 SIGNATURES HAVE BEEN IGNORED, THE TRUST BOARD SAY THAT THEY WERE HANDED IN BEFORE THE START OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD!!!!</p> <p>THE FACT IS THE PETITION TOGETHER WITH A PORTFOLIO OF ANOTHER 35 LETTERS INCLUDING LETTERS FROM YOUR SHROPSHIRE MP'S WERE HANDED IN AT THE TRUST BOARD MEETING WHERE THE BOARD VOTED ON THE PROPOSAL AND WHETHER TO CARRY THE PROCESS FORWARD TO A CONSULTATION PERIOD, IT WAS HANDED IN WITH A STATEMENT THAT WAS READ OUT STATING THAT IT WAS CONSIDERED BY US AS THE OPENING OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD AND MR MARSH AND SIR MELDRUM ACCEPTED IT AND THANKED US FOR IT !!!!!!</p> <p>SO 3 MONTHS ON AND THE TRUST BOARD OR SHOULD I SAY THE PRESS OFFICER HAS BEEN BUSY ONCE AGAIN , BUSY MOVING GOAL POSTS AND FUDGING FIGURES YET AGAIN</p> <p>LEAVING THE STAFF AND THE PEOPLE OF SHROPSHIRE LET DOWN AGAIN ..............</p> <p>IS THIS THE TYPE OF AMBULANCE SERVICE THAT YOU WANT ???<br>DO YOU WNAT THIS TRUST BOARD TO CONTINUE LYING TO YOU ???<br>COVERING UP THE FACTS AND FIGURES???</p> <p>HOW CAN 16000 SIGNATURES BE IGNORED ????</p> <p>THEY SAY IN TOTAL ONLY 65 PEOPLE WROTE AGAINST THE CLOSURE !!! ??? DOES THAT SOUND CORRECT TO YOU ????</p> <p>HAVE A READ ON THESE LINKS AND SEE IF YOU CAN MAKE UP YOUR MIND , THESE ARE VIEWS OF WMAS STAFF MEMBERS</p> <p><a href="http://www.wmambo.unionweb.co.uk/view/PageView.aspx?Page=434"><a href="http://www.wmambo.unionweb.co.uk/view/PageView.aspx?Page=434">http://www.wmambo.unionweb.co.uk/view/PageView.aspx?Page=434</a></a> </p> <p>WHY ARE THESE BOARDS CALLED TRUST BOARDS ???? !!!! WHEN CLEARLY WE CANNOT TRUST THEM </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/10/12/sorry_people_of_shropshire~3125102/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/10/12/sorry_people_of_shropshire~3125102/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/29/29th_august~2888768/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-08-29:/2007/08/29/29th_august~2888768/Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:25:59 +0200 <p>Ambulance chiefs face questioning </p> <p>There are concerns about plans to close the Shrewsbury control room <br>More than 100 people attended a meeting to quiz ambulance leaders over plans to shut Shropshire's control centre. <br>West Midlands Ambulance Service is looking at closing the call centre and moving the work to Brierley Hill, in the Black Country, or Stafford. </p> <p>On Tuesday night a meeting was held at Shrewsbury's Shire Hall for members of the public to hear the reasons behind the proposal. </p> <p>A similar meeting will be held in Telford on Thursday evening. </p> <p>Ambulance chiefs have said they want to take on as many different views from people as possible before making a final decision. </p> <p>'More efficient' </p> <p>However, many of those attending the Shrewsbury meeting said they were concerned the decision had already been made. </p> <p>The ambulance service has said the move would make the service more efficient and has denied it would be a cost-cutting exercise. </p> <p>Earlier this month, three workers from the ambulance service were suspended over allegations of breaching the Data Protection Act. </p> <p>Control room logs were passed to the BBC amid concerns closing the Shropshire control centre would put patients at risk. </p> <p><strong>MR MARSH AND HIS TEAM FAILED TO ANSWER 50% OF THE QUESTIONS PUT TO HIM LAST NIGHT, HE FAILED TO ANSWER WHY LEAMINGTON SPA AND NOT SHREWSBURY , HE SAYS IT IS NOT DOWN TO COST ? ITS NOT DOWN TO I.T WHAT IS IT DOWN TO THEN ?<br></strong>COULD IT BE THAT THE LEAMINGTON SPA CONTROL ROOM IS ON  A LEASE FROM THE FIRE SERVICE AND THAT LEASE IS UP IN 2 YEARS .... SO IN 2 YEARS THEY WILL CLOSE TOO! ! THEN MR MARSH WILL HAVE HIS 2 CONTROL CENTRES........ WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ONE OF THESE CONTROL CENTRES FAIL, THE OTHER ONE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH ALL OF THE CALLS, THE STAFF WOULD HAVE A LONG DRIVE BETWEEN STAFFORD AND DUDLEY TO WHICH EVER CONTROL WAS STILL RUNNING, SO HOW LONG WOULD PEOPLE BE WAITING FOR THE SERVICE THEN TO GET UP AND RUNNING.<br>BY KEEPING AT SHREWSBURY AS A FULL TIME FALL BACK CENTRE, EXTENDING IT TO HAVE MORE SEAT CAPACITY, EASILY DON IN THE EXISISTING BUILDING, WE COULD BE FALL BACK  CENTRE AND TAKE ON OTHER JOBS TOO, SUCH LIKE EMERGANCY PLANNING, CENTRE, FOR FLOODS, EXTREME WEATHER ETC, JUST AN IDEA BUT I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY MORE IDEAS OUT THERE, PLEASE WRITE IN TO THE  E MAIL ADDRESS OR PUT THEM ON HERE, IF MR MARSH WANTS ALTERNATIVES THEN THAT IS WHAT WE WILL GIVE HIM ......THE CLOCK IS TICKING </p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/29/29th_august~2888768/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/29/29th_august~2888768/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/16/16th_august~2819306/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-08-16:/2007/08/16/16th_august~2819306/Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:19:54 +0200 <u>STEVE JETLEY RESIGNS............<br></u>THANK YOU STEVE FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE PUBLIC OF SHROPSHIRE AND THE STAFF OF SHROPSHIRE AMBULANCE CONTROL , GOOD LUCK FOR THE FUTURE .  <p><a><u></u></a></p> <p><u><img class="alignright" src="http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/ambu.jpg" alt="Steve Jetley" title="Steve Jetley" width="175" height="244"></u>A Shropshire ambulance worker at the centre of a row over leaked documents today resigned, claiming service bosses were more concerned with Government targets and portraying a favourable image than patient care.</p> <p>Steve Jetley also warned that the lives of Shropshire patients were being &ldquo;recklessly&rdquo; put at risk because ambulances are sent out of the county to deal with calls in the West Midlands.</p> <p>His claims have been strongly denied by service chiefs, who have released figures which, they say, show there is &ldquo;no significant drain&rdquo; on Shropshire resources when ambulances are sent on cross border calls.</p> <p>PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGN !!!!<br><strong>FOLLOW THIS LINK AND LEAVE YOUR MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FOR STEVE<br></strong><a href="http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/08/ambulance-row-worker-quits/"><a href="http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/08/ambulance-row-worker-quits/">http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/08/ambulance-row-worker-quits/</a></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/16/16th_august~2819306/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/16/16th_august~2819306/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/10/10th_august~2784649/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-08-10:/2007/08/10/10th_august~2784649/Fri, 10 Aug 2007 09:12:08 +0200 <p>YET ANOTHER SPIN ON THE TRUTH........<br> WHO DO YOU BELIEVE ????</p> <p>READ THE FOLLOWING LINK TO THE SHROPSHIRE STAR ALONG WITH THE COMMENTS</p> <p><a href="http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/08/999-calls-not-hit-by-change/">http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/08/999-calls-not-hit-by-change/</a></p> <p>ALSO NOTE THE EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM THE SHROPSHIRE STAR HERE IT IS IF YOU MISSED IT !</p> <p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p>10th August - STOP THIS SECRECY NOW!!</p> <p>Any publicity officer worth his salt will tell you that saying ‘no comment’ to the media, or trying to prevent publication of factually accurate information, is not the smartest idea.</p> <p> It immediately implies that you have something to hide.A dark, damaging secret. So it’s little wonder that county ambulance bosses have found themselves on the wrong end of some rather embarrassing headlines over the past week. It’s bad enough that front-line workers felt compelled to reveal how Shropshire ambulances were being frequently sent out of the county to cover routine work in the West Midlands. It’s worse still that they were then suspended for breaching company policy. But it’s frankly unbelievable that, all the time, there was a perfectly sensible response which would have nipped this controversy in the bud. Having held this back for days, the damage has now been done. Mud sticks in PR terms, and it will take the ambulance service some time to shake off the perception that they’re a closed organisation which prefers to keep its business secret.<br> When you have highly skilled publicity officers, being funded by the taxpayers, it really should not need front-line ambulance staff, local MPs and a helping hand from the press to bring the true picture into the public domain. Transparency and honesty is always the wisest policy.</p> <p>Shropshire Star</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/10/10th_august~2784649/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/10/10th_august~2784649/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/09/8th_august~2782471/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-08-09:/2007/08/09/8th_august~2782471/Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:53:52 +0200 <p><strong>TWO OF THE THREE STAFF MEMBERS REINSTATED...PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT STEVE JETLEY <br>Please also continue supporting the 2 that are back at work, it still is a very trying time for all involved.  <br>Eight weeks left of the consultation period and yesterday saw the first of the public meetings , the first one was in Worcester with just 21 people attending, the Shrewsbury meeting is on the 28th August at 1930 at the Shirehall, please ralley support and get as many of your friends and family there, Shropshire Ambulance Services employees, please try your very best to attend, the show of support at the meeting on Tues this week was overwelming but there are many many more of you out there that WILL be affected if our control closes.<br>Telford meeting is on the 30th August at 1900 at the civic centre.....<br>Meanwhile please keep your letters rolling into to the consultation addresses and your local MP's and Newspapers...... It is too late on the 10th October 2007<br>We do not want to be saying we told you so !<br>Thank you </p> <p></strong></p> <p>SO FAR WE HAVE HAD 5500 PAGE VEWS ON THIS SITE !!!! PLEASE PLEASE IF ONLY HALF OF YOU WROTE A COMMENT ON THE SITE OR WROTE A LETTER OF SUPPORT THAT WOULD SPEAK VOLUMES </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/09/8th_august~2782471/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/09/8th_august~2782471/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/02/2nd_august~2743293/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-08-02:/2007/08/02/2nd_august~2743293/Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:13:35 +0200 <p><strong>SUPPORT THE SHROPSHIRE 3 !!!!!!</p> <p></strong>FOLLOW THE STORY AS IT UNFOLDS </p> <p>VERY INTERESTING COMMENTS APPEARING NOW !!!</p> <p>SUPPORT OUR 3 MEMBERS OF STAFF , PLEASE IT IS TIME NOW THE PUBLIC KNEW THE TRUTH </p> <p><a href="http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/08/bosses-suspend-new-999-worker/"><a href="http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/08/bosses-suspend-new-999-worker/">http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/08/bosses-suspend-new-999-worker/</a></a></p> <p></p> <p>also follow the link to the worcs newspaper, read the article then follow the page down to the comments very interesting comments on here too especially from ambo999 !!!!!<br> <a href="http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1584520.mostcommented.ambulance_staff_plea_to_health_chiefs.php">http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1584520.mostcommented.ambulance_staff_plea_to_health_chiefs.php</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/02/2nd_august~2743293/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/02/2nd_august~2743293/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/01/1st_august~2737188/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-08-01:/2007/08/01/1st_august~2737188/Wed, 01 Aug 2007 10:35:43 +0200 <p>SUPPORT THE SHREWSBURY THREE !!!!!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/07/suspension-of-999-staff/">http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/07/suspension-of-999-staff/</a></p> <p>STEVE JETLEY AND 2 OTHER MEMBERS OF STAFF HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED FROM DUTY FOR STANDING UP AND SPEAKING OUT.<br> WEST MIDLAND AMBULANCE TRUST ARE TRYING TO DISTANCE THIS INCIDENT FROM THE CLOSURE OF THE CONTROL CENTRES !!! THEY COULD'NT BE MORE WRONG</p> <p>OUR TWO MAIN ARGUEMENTS AGAINST THE CLOSURE OF ANY OF THE CONTROL CENTRES IN SHREWSBURY OR BRANSFORD , ARE THE LOSS OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE WHEN DEALING WITH 999 CALLS AND THE LOSS OF THE LOCAL CONTROL OVER THE MOVEMENT OF AMBULANCES WITHIN THE SHROPSHIRE AND HEREFORD AND WORCS AREA AND THE SAFETY OF THE RESIDENTS OF THESE TWO HUGE RURAL COUNTIES</p> <p>These staff members have stood up and spoken out highlighting and trying to educate the public in the daily activities of the trust. The trust spokesman recently said on the local radio station that the movement of shropshire vehicles to the west midland area does not happen ???? </p> <p>They have done this as the feel very strongly with regard to the closure of the control centres and feel that they have had no choice but to step up to the line to try and bring these occurances to the forefront for the public to see.</p> <p>Please please write and show your support for these 3 , whether you are a member of staff or a member of the public, write to Anthony Marsh at </p> <p><a href="mailto:Anthony.Marsh@wmas.nhs.uk">Anthony.Marsh@wmas.nhs.uk</a></p> <p>PLEASE ALSO KEEP WRITING TO THE TRUST FOR THE CONSULTATION PERIOD REGARDING THE CLOSURE OF THE CONTROL CENTRES, THE FIGHT GOES ON AND DESPITE THE TRUST TRYING TO DISTANCE THE 2 STORIES THEY ARE VERY MUCH LINKED </p> <p>WE HAVE UNTIL THE 1ST OCT 2007 TO GET OUR VIEWS ACCROSS TO THE TRUST BOARD<br> PLEASE WRITE TO :-<br> WEST MIDLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE HEADQUARTERS<br> EOC RECONFIGURATION CONSULTATION<br> MILLENIUM POINT<br> WATERFRONT BUSINESS PARK<br> BRIERLY HILL<br> DUDLEY<br> WEST MIDLANDS<br> DY5 1LX</p> <p>OR EMAIL :-</p> <p><a href="mailto:consultation@wmas.nhs.uk">consultation@wmas.nhs.uk</a></p> <p>All letters to be in no later than 1st of October 2007</p> <p>THERE IS ALSO A NUMBER OF PUBLIC MEETINGS DATES ARE AS FOLLOWS<br> Public Meetings </p> <p>West Midlands Ambulance Service is to hold a series of public meetings to give members of the public a chance to hear more about the proposed reconfiguration of Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs).</p> <p>The meetings will also give members of the public the opportunity to formally register their views. The meetings will take place at the following locations - </p> <p>Worcester<br> Wednesday 8th August - 6.30pm to 9.30pm<br> Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP</p> <p>Hereford<br> Thursday 16th August - 6.30 to 9.30pm<br> Town Hall Hereford Herefordshire HR1 2PJ</p> <p>Shrewsbury<br> Tuesday 28th August - 7.00 to 9.00pm Council Chambers Shropshire County Council Shire Hall, Abbey Forgate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire</p> <p>Telford<br> Thursday 30th August - 7.00 to 9.00pm<br> Borough of Telford & Wrekin, Civic Offices, Telford. TF3 4LD</p> <p>FINALLY WE THANK THE 3 INVOLVED IN THESE SUSPENSIONS FOR STANDING UP AND SPEAKING OUT, YOU HAVE SAID WHAT ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THOUGHT AND DISCUSSED FOR A LONG LONG TIME AND WE SUPPORT YOU 100 % </p> <p>PLEASE POST YOUR THOUGHTS AND VIEWS ON THIS SITE AS THEY CAN BE SEEN BY ALL !</p> <p>alex [Visitor]</p> <p>2007-07-31 @ 17:58<br> Please support your ambulance service<br> Write to ambulance bosses and your mp and demand the reinstatement of the two Shropshire ambulance staff who have been suspended for standing up and looking after the interests of Shropshire’s residents by proving the regionalisation of the ambulance service is put lives at risk in you community and moving Shropshire control room will only make matters worse </p> <p>Reply to comment | Edit<br> Simon [Visitor]</p> <p>2007-07-31 @ 20:36<br> Oops. </p> <p>West Midlands Ambulance Service has been caught out telling porkies! So after denying that emergency service in Shropshire (and presumably other rural areas) is being lost to the big cities, it transpires that Shropshire vehicles have indeed been sent to urban areas (presumably the deal with outstanding urgent cases, rather than actual 999's.)</p> <p>Had there been no attempt to get extra time on these cases? I could almost understand going to help out with an influx of 999's that couldn't be covered - as hopefully Millenium Point would send vehicles in to Shropshire at any time when assiatnce was needed).</p> <p>But non 999's???!!!! Hopefully there'll be an investigation into the actions and procedures of Millenium Point Control too, especially the Duty Manager?</p> <p>I wonder how the somewhat unprincipled PR officers are going to deal with that, beyond the usual gutless "its been investigated and we can't comment" drivel?</p> <p>Whistleblowing is allowable these days if it can be proved to be in the public interest (as this issue certainly is). To suspend staff members for expressing their honestly held concerns - on the very weak pretext of 'data protection' - is a cowardly way for the Trust to behave.</p> <p><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/shropshire/6924176.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/shropshire/6924176.stm</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/01/1st_august~2737188/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/08/01/1st_august~2737188/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/07/13/letter_sent_to_pat_doran_head_of_hr_for_~2630274/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-07-13:/2007/07/13/letter_sent_to_pat_doran_head_of_hr_for_~2630274/Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:15:06 +0200 <p>11 July 2007<br> Ms P Doran<br> Head of HR for BBC&S Locality<br> West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust<br> Millennium Point<br> Waterfront Business Park<br> Waterfront Way<br> Brierley Hill<br> Dudley DY5 1LX</p> <p>Dear Pat</p> <p>Thank you for your letter dated 3 July 2007 in respect of the consultation on the proposed reconfiguration of Emergency Operation Centres in the West Midlands.<br> As we have already made clear UNISON have a number of concerns in relation to the proposals on the future of EOC configuration in the region, but before we are able to formally respond to the consultation document we would request further and better particulars in respect of the information that you have already provided. I would therefore be grateful if you could answer, at your earliest available opportunity, the questions which I pose below. If you are not the appropriate person to answer these questions I would be grateful if you could forward it on to whoever is.<br> In order to assist you in answering the questions I pose, I will relate them directly to the appropriate paragraphs in the consultation document.<br> I would be grateful if you could confirm who are the authors of the document headed Consultation on the Proposed Reconfiguration of Emergency Operations Centres in the West Midlands. I would also be grateful if you could confirm whether any of these authors will be involved in making the final decision at the end of the period of public consultation. If, as we suspect, that the authors of this document are indeed the decision makers in respect of this process, I would be grateful if you could confirm how the service intends to ensure that the publics views are taken into consideration and not merely sidelined to give the impression that the public have been listened to.<br> In paragraph 1.3 of the document reference is made to “a huge amount of work has been undertaken to review what can be done to improve the service provided to patients etc”. Can you provide us with evidence of the work that has been undertaken to review EOC provision and in particular give us examples of the staff and trade union input into this work. Could you also provide us with copies with all feasibility studies that have been carried out that have led to the proposals outlined in this document.<br> C:\Documents and Settings\Test\My Documents\L010MsPDoran11.07.07.doc<br> PAGE 2<br> In section 2 of the document, reference is made to the number of staff employed to work within the current EOC’s and percentage of calls that are received across the region. Can you please provide us with evidence of the minimum staffing levels that are currently required to operate each of the existing EOC’s. Can you demonstrate to us what steps are taken to transfer the work to other EOC’s, should the staffing levels drop below these minimum standards. Can you also provide us with sickness absence rates for each individual EOC over the past 5 years and also examples of the staff turnover rates for each individual EOC over the past 5 years.<br> Can you also provide specific evidence as to where, in the past 12 months, either due to capacity, staffing levels or technical problems, calls have been diverted to other EOC’s outside of the existing localities, to enable them to deal with the 999 calls.<br> In section 4 of the document, reference is made to independent data that shows the Trust answers phones more quickly now than it has ever done before. Can you provide clear evidence of this data to demonstrate the improvement in performance.<br> Reference is also made in this section to the fact that there will be no compulsory redundancies. Can you provide clear evidence to demonstrate what will happen if staff do not transfer from Shrewsbury or Bransford and are unable, for whatever reason, to transfer to front line duties. Can you also demonstrate how you intend to maintain local knowledge within the EOC’s if, as we suspect, a large number of staff do not transfer to the new EOC provision.<br> In section 5 of the document reference is made to the well rehearsed questioning procedures, which will be used to enable staff to identify patient locations. Can you please provide us with evidence of these procedures and demonstrate how they will be implemented into the new EOC provision, for those members of staff who do not have sufficient local knowledge, such as is currently utilised in the existing EOC configuration.<br> Can you also confirm whether all addresses are currently logged onto the existing IT systems. Can you also demonstrate how addresses that are not logged onto the existing IT system are identified, particularly if the calls are referred to an alternative EOC outside of the locality.<br> Reference is also made in section 5 to cross border working and the fact that the service will now operate in a regional capacity. Can you provide us with examples of how and where vehicles are currently being dispatched outside of their locality and the effect that this has on the resourcing and responding to 999 calls within that locality.<br> Can you please demonstrate how you intend to ensure that local knowledge is maintained if a call is dispatched from an EOC that is not in the locality and local crews are dispatched outside of the area.<br> C:\Documents and Settings\Test\My Documents\L010MsPDoran11.07.07.doc<br> PAGE 3<br> In paragraph 6.2, reference is made to the assessment of all information from national and local work. Can you provide us with evidence of the information that was used and the assessment processes that were undertaken.<br> In paragraph 6.3, reference is made to the fact that the Trust has agreed on the following proposal. Can you confirm at what level within the Trust this decision was made. Can you also confirm whether the people who made this decision will be responsible or have input into the final formal decision following the period of public consultation.<br> In paragraph 6.6 onwards, reference is made to the capacity that would be provided by the two regional EOC’s, with a back up at Leamington. Can you demonstrate to us how you intend to deploy this capacity once the decision is made. For example, would it be your intention to utilise all capacity from day one of the new provision or is it your intention to deploy a lesser number from the full capacity from day one. If it is your intention to deploy a lesser capacity, can you please demonstrate to us what that capacity will be and provide evidence to justify that decision.<br> Can you also provide evidence as to how you intend to run the EOC provision within Staffordshire. Currently a large number of paramedics work within the existing EOC and we will require evidence as to how these will be deployed under the new configuration. If it is your intention to employ a large number of new staff to answer the calls in the Stafford EOC, can you please provide us with evidence of the work that you have undertaken to assess the training needs and support that will be required in the initial stages to ensure that lives are not put at risk by employing a large number of new inexperienced staff.<br> Could you also confirm as to what implications, if any, there are for those paramedics who currently work within the EOC in Stafford and whether there will be any impact on their Agenda for Change bandings.<br> In paragraph 6.8 of the document, reference is made to the advantages and disadvantages of Bransford, Leamington Spa and Shrewsbury EOC’s. Can you please provide full details of all the evidence that you have used to justify the comments that you make within this paragraph. Can you particularly provide evidence of the costings that you have used and the feasibility studies you have undertaken to justify your position in respect of these EOC’s.<br> Can you also provide evidence of feasibility studies that have been undertaken to assess the merits of maintaining EOC provision that would enable the West Mercia locality to retain their own EOC that could potentially work in conjunction with two or more EOC’s elsewhere within the region.<br> Within section 8 of the document, reference is made to the financial planning and a series of figures are given to justify your current position. Can you please provide us with full details of all the costings that you have to arrive at this position.<br> Can you also provide us with any assessments that you have done on the potential redundancy costs for members of staff who do not move to EOC or front line duties.<br> C:\Documents and Settings\Test\My Documents\L010MsPDoran11.07.07.doc<br> PAGE 4<br> Can you also provide us with examples of the costs involved in transferring staff from Bransford and Shrewsbury to either Brierley Hill or Stafford. Can you please demonstrate how these costings will affect the proposals as laid out within your document.<br> In view of the timescales that are left in respect of the public consultation, I would be grateful if you could provide this information to us by Monday, 6 August 2007 at the latest. Following receipt of this information we will be consulting with our members and also members of other stakeholders involved in this process across the West Midlands region.<br> Can I say how disappointed I am that I have had to request this information in this way, as historically we have always enjoyed a working relationship, which has enabled us to obtain this information prior to consultation documents being made public.<br> I look forward to your response by Monday, 6 August 2007.<br> Yours sincerely<br> Ray Salmon<br> Ray Salmon<br> Regional Organiser </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/07/13/letter_sent_to_pat_doran_head_of_hr_for_~2630274/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/07/13/letter_sent_to_pat_doran_head_of_hr_for_~2630274/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/22nd_june~2502127/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-06-22:/2007/06/22/22nd_june~2502127/Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:16:34 +0200 <p> <strong><u>SAVE SHROPSHIRE AMBULANCE CONTROL<br></u></strong>THE AXE HAS BEEN SWUNG, AS FEARED <strong><u>SHROPSHIRE'S DEDICATED</u></strong> AMBULANCE CONTROL CENTRE IS TO CLOSE, ALONG WITH ANOTHER DEDICATED RURAL CONTROL ROOM IN <u><strong>BRANSFORD WORCESTERSHIRE</strong></u>, THESE ACTIONS <strong><u>WILL COST LIVES</u></strong> AND DEPRIVE THE RESIDENTS OF <u><strong>SHROPSHIRE AND HEREFORD AND WORCESTERSHIRE</strong></u> OF A VERY MUCH <u><strong>VALUED</strong></u> AND SPECIALISED SERVICE.  LOOK AT THE MAPS THESE COUNTIES ARE THE LARGEST INLAND COUNTIES WITH HEAVILY RURAL AREAS THEY WILL BE WITHOUT A LOCAL CONTROL ROOM.<br>WITHOUT IT<u><strong> YOUR</strong></u> CALLS WILL BE ANSWERED ANYWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLAND REGION CALL CENTRES, STAFFORD, DUDLEY OR LEAMINGTON SPA.  SO THE LIKELY HOOD IS THE PERSON <u><strong>YOU</strong></u> SPEAK TO WILL NOT HAVE A CLUE ABOUT THE AREA <u><strong>YOU</strong></u> LIVE IN.  AND ONCE THE BIG CONTROL ROOMS HAVE DISPATCHED <strong><u>YOUR</u></strong> LOCAL CREWS TO OTHER AREAS OUT OF <strong><u>YOUR</u></strong> COUNTY TO COVER THE LARGE BUILT UP URBAN AREAS OF THE REGION TO MEET DEMAND, THE LIKELY HOOD AGAIN WILL BE THAT THE CREW RESPONDING TO <strong><u>YOU</u></strong> WILL HAVE TO RELY ON SAT NAV EQUIPMENT AND <u><strong>NO LOCAL KNOWLEDGE</strong></u> AS THEY WILL BE MILES FROM THEIR AREA!</p> <p>WE HAVE NOW GOT 12 WEEKS OF CONSULTATION BEFORE THE TRUST BOARD MAKE THEIR FINAL DECISSION, <br>BELOW IS A LINK TO THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT PUBLISHED BY WMAS</p> <p><strong><u>PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK AND READ THE CONSULTATION PAPER</p> <p>www.wmambo.unionweb.co.uk/Websites/44/ConsultationontheProposedRe-configurationofEOCs.pdf</p> <p></u>on monday 25th june at 10am the 1st installment of the petition and already recieved letters of support will be handed in to the WMAS trust board, this will show them the depth of public support after just 6 weeks but we now have another 12 weeks of consultation</p> <p><u>WE HAVE UNTIL THE 1ST OCT 2007 TO GET OUR VIEWS ACCROSS TO THE TRUST BOARD<br>PLEASE WRITE TO :-</p> <p>WEST MIDLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE HEADQUARTERS<br>EOC RECONFIGURATION CONSULTATION<br>MILLENIUM POINT<br>WATERFRONT BUSINESS PARK <br>BRIERLY HILL<br>DUDLEY<br>WEST MIDLANDS<br>DY5 1LX</p> <p>OR EMAIL :-</p> <p>consultation@wmas.nhs.uk</p> <p>All letters to be in no later than 1st of October 2007</p> <p>They then plan on having a final trust board meeting on the 9th of October where the final decission will be rubber stamped</p> <p>All details of public meetings etc will be posted on this site </p> <p>THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT</p> <p></u></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/22nd_june~2502127/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/22nd_june~2502127/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/06/15/15th_june~2458549/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-06-15:/2007/06/15/15th_june~2458549/Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:50:58 +0200 <p>WMAS have called 5 seperate meetings round the region at the 5 EOC's to tell the staff what is going to be said in the trust board meeting on the 25th June..... about time perhaps then we can have a full blown campaign based on facts and figures and the public will see what will happen to their Ambulance Service!</p> <p><strong>COME ON THE RESIDENTS OF SHROPSHIRE AND HEREFORD AND WORCS, THESE COUNTIES ARE HUGE THEY REQUIRE A LOCAL AMBULANCE CONTROL , SIGN OUR PETITIONS, WRITE YOUR LETTERS HAVE YOU SAY <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>WE NEED YOUR HELP.......AFTER ALL ITS YOU THAT THIS EFFECTS</p> <p>WRITE TO </p> <p><a href="mailto:saveourservice@aol.co.uk">saveourservice@aol.co.uk</a></p> <p><a href="mailto:Anthony.Marsh@wmas.nhs.uk">Anthony.Marsh@wmas.nhs.uk</a></p> <p>or your local MP's </p> <p></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/06/15/15th_june~2458549/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/06/15/15th_june~2458549/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/23/23rd_april~2144857/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-04-23:/2007/04/23/23rd_april~2144857/Mon, 23 Apr 2007 10:36:15 +0200 <p>SAVE SHROPSHIRES AMBULANCE<br> 999 CONTROL CENTRE IN SHREWSBURY. </p> <p>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.<br> 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.</p> <p>TEN GOOD REASONS WHY SHROPSHIRE AMBULANCE CONTROL SHOULD STAY OPEN. </p> <p>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.<br> 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.<br> 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.<br> 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<br> 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?<br> 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.<br> 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.<br> 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 <strong>Yes put on hold </strong>this certainly does not help if you live over in Bishops Castle, time is vital.<br> 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.<br> 9. The staff knows all the short cuts and pit falls that the satellite navigation doesn’t often show. Time again that is essential.<br> 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.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/23/23rd_april~2144857/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/23/23rd_april~2144857/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/21/21st_april~2132837/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-04-21:/2007/04/21/21st_april~2132837/Sat, 21 Apr 2007 13:19:38 +0200 <p>You can now also download a copy of the petition page for you, your family and friends to fill out!<br> Just Download, Print and fill in as many copies as you can. We are aiming to have all petitions in to be counted by the end of May!<br> We will let you know the address to send all petitions to around the middle of May.</p> <p><strong>If you are unable to download the petition, we have set up a petition hotline. Leave your name and address, and we will post copies out to you. Anyone can request copies,and we will include posters and an information sheet aswell.<br> THE HOTLINE NUMBER IS :</strong><br> <u><strong> 079 313 55 55 0</strong></u></p> <p>Good luck and again, Thanks for you support.</p> <p>Download petition document here :<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1359080" title="Ambulance999callservice"><img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/img/doc.gif" alt="Ambulance999callservice" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/21/21st_april~2132837/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/21/21st_april~2132837/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/21/21st_april~2132783/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-04-21:/2007/04/21/21st_april~2132783/Sat, 21 Apr 2007 13:10:10 +0200 <p>Well, after a busy day yesterday in and around Shrewsbury, we now have around 50 places where you, the public can sign the petition.<br> Here is where they are so far :</p> <p>North Shrewsbury :<br> Robsons Liquor Zone - Whitchurch Rd<br> Lunch at Lou's - Whitchurch Rd<br> Post Office - Whitchurch Rd<br> Harlescott Pharmacy - Whitchurch Rd<br> McDonalds - Battlefield<br> AMF Bowling - Brixton Way<br> Fleurtations Florist - Mount Pleasant Rd<br> P Williams Pharmacy - Mount Pleasant Rd<br> Tasty Loaf Bakery - Mount Pleasant Rd<br> Sun City Solarium - Ditherington<br> Hair City - Ditherington</p> <p>South Shrewsbury :<br> McDonalds - Meole Brace<br> Crossroads Stores - Bayston Hill<br> Bayston Hill Butchers<br> PM & GR Cross Greengrocers - Bayston Hill<br> Channelles Hairdressers - Coleham<br> The Crown Public House - Coleham<br> COMET CARS -Betton st,Coleham(some taxi's are carrying copies aswell)</p> <p>East Shrewsbury :<br> ASDA - Old Potts Way<br> GreenHous - Old Potts Way<br> Sheil's Salon - Sutton Farm<br> Percy Throwers Garden Centre</p> <p>West Shrewsbury :<br> Gains Park Post Office<br> The Onslow Public House - Gainspark<br> Nicola Anne Hair Design - Gainspark<br> Rowton Castle & Country Club - Rowton<br> All the League of Friends Shops at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital<br> Outpatients Reception - Royal Shrewsbury Hospital</p> <p>Shrewsbury Town Centre :<br> SEVERN RADIO STUDIO'S - Abbey Foregate<br> British Heart Foundation - Mardol<br> Marie Curie - Mardol<br> British Red Cross Shop - Mardol<br> St Marys News - St Mary's Street<br> K2 Hair and Coffe Shop - Darwin Centre<br> Travel Time and News - Bus Station<br> Cameo Hair Design - Pride Hill Shopping Centre<br> Celtic Food Bar - Pride Hill Shopping Centre<br> CAFE GEORGIA - Pride Hill Shopping Centre<br> Tourist Information Office - In The Square<br> Quarry Swimming & Fitness Centre<br> Swan Hill House Residential Home -Swan Hill</p> <p>MORE ARE BEING ADDED DAILY!!!<br> Keep an eye out for our Flourescent posters all around the county aswell! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/21/21st_april~2132783/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/21/21st_april~2132783/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/18/18h_april~2115120/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-04-18:/2007/04/18/18h_april~2115120/Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:38:50 +0200 <p>The petition will be on top of Pride hill in Shrewsbury on various days, it will hopefully be available in the main supermarkets in town as of Friday.<br> Other places they have been put are : - </p> <p>Severn Trent<br> Conway drive chemist, Telford Estate,<br> Attingham Park<br> Crown Pub in Coleham<br> Coleham Chemist<br> Comet Cars<br> William Hills Book makers abbey foregate<br> Radbrook college<br> SCAT<br> Police station shrewsbury<br> Royal Mail shrewsbury<br> Telepost shrewsbury<br> they will be also in the main shops in shrewsbury town centre....hopefully , all main supermarkets, </p> <p>In Telford they are at:-<br> Wellington Civic Centre,<br> Donnington helath centre,<br> Asda Donnington customer service and staff canteen<br> Asda Telford Town Centre customer service<br> Post Office Telford Town Centre<br> Tourist Information Telford Town Centre<br> Ice Rink Telford Town Centre<br> International Convention Centre Telford Town Centre<br> Cannons Health Centre<br> Mecca Bingo Telford town Centre,<br> Tesco's Wellington Retail Park<br> If you work or go to any of these places please ask if you can sign the petition as some places were unsure that they would be able to put out in public view ??<img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_censored.gif" alt=">:XX" class="middle" border="0"> but most were happy to.<img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"><br> Will update the site as more petitions go out, and yes the shropshire Star will be made aware of where they all are, and the local radio stations.</p> <p><strong>IF ANY ONE WHO DOES NOT LIVE NEAR THESE PLACES AND FEEL THEY COULD GET A PETITION FILLED OUT BY LOCAL SUPPORT AND THEY LIVE IN THE REST OF SHROPSHIRE AND WOULD BE ABLE TO PASS OUT THE POSTERS AND PETITIONS, PLEASE PLEASE EMAIL US AT<br> <a href="mailto:saveourservice@aol.co.uk">saveourservice@aol.co.uk</a> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"><br> and we weill either send some out to you or arrange you to get them some how.... or we will e mail you the petition template along with the poster copy and then you can print them off your self ! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif" alt=":>" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><strong>PLEASE PLEASE WE NEED LOCAL SUPPORT</strong>, YOU WOULD BE SHOCKED IF YOU SPENT A DAY WALKING AROUND WITH THIS PETITION PEOPLE STILL DON'T REALISE THIS IS HAPPENING OR ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT IT.........<strong>BUT DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE... WE NEED ACTION NOW <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></strong></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/18/18h_april~2115120/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/18/18h_april~2115120/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/17/17th_april~2111218/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-04-17:/2007/04/17/17th_april~2111218/Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:55:42 +0200 <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0">THE PETITION IS UP AND RUNNING PEOPLE SO, ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO SIGN IT, JON TANDY IS AT THE TOP OF PRIDE HILL IN SHREWSBURY ON VARIOUS DAYS, AND PETITION SHEETS ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED AROUND SHROPSHIRE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, SO IF YOU SEE ONE SIGN IT AND TELL EVERYONE ELSE TO SIGN IT TOO <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/17/17th_april~2111218/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/17/17th_april~2111218/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/14/14th_april~2092690/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-04-14:/2007/04/14/14th_april~2092690/Sat, 14 Apr 2007 22:19:10 +0200 <p>SUPPORT STILL NEEDED PLEASE<img class="smiley" src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/icon_wave.gif" border="0" alt="" width="26" height="22"></p> <p>THERE ARE NUMEROUS PLACES NOW TO SHARE YOUR VIEWS, THE SHROPSHIRE STAR WEB SITE, THIS WEB SITE, THE SHREWSBURY FORUM ALL OF WHICH  HAVE LINKS ON THIS SITE</p> <p>LOBBY YOUR COUNCILLORS, MP'S AND THE NEWSPAPERS<img class="smiley" src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/smileys60.gif" border="0" alt="" width="34" height="17"></p> <p>TELL YOU FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF THE  PLANS TO CLOSE THIS CONTROL ROOM..... YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW MANY PEOPLE STILL DON'T KNOW THAT IT IS  UNDER THREAT<img class="smiley" src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/smiley-surprised2.gif" border="0" alt="" width="18" height="18"></p> <p>THE PEOPLE OF SHROPSHIRE DESERVE THIS LOCAL SERVICE, SHROPSHIRE IS A VERY RURAL COUNTY WITH VERY SMALL HAMLETS AND VILLAGES WITH STRANGE NAMES.......... IMAGINE RINGING 999<img class="smiley" src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/smileys21.gif" border="0" alt="" width="22" height="18"> IN A PANIC AND TRYING TO GIVE YOUR ADDRESS TO SOMEONE WHO DOESNT KNOW SHROPSHIRE AT ALL, DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR COTTAGE HAS NO ROAD NAME, OR YOUR ON TOP OF A HILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AND THERE IS NO EXACT ADDRESS.<img class="smiley" src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" border="0" alt="" width="23" height="15">.....ALL OF THIS WILL LOOSE VITAL SECONDS.<br>NEXT TIME YOU SEE A AMBULANCE RESPONDING ON A 999 OR YOU HAVE TO RING FOR ONE YOURSELF <strong>STOP AND THINK </strong>WHERE WAS THE PERSON THAT TOOK THE CALL? AND DID THEY KNOW THE AREA AND DID THEY KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AND HOW TO GET TO YOU ????<img class="smiley" src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/03question.gif" border="0" alt="" width="15" height="15"><img class="smiley" src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/grayupset.gif" border="0" alt="" width="15" height="22"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/14/14th_april~2092690/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/14/14th_april~2092690/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/09/9th_april~2061247/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-04-09:/2007/04/09/9th_april~2061247/Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:56:21 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/04/county-999-centre-faces-axe/"><a href="http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/04/county-999-centre-faces-axe/">http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/04/county-999-centre-faces-axe/</a></a></p> <p>Add you thoughts to the above link within the Shropshire Star    </p> <p>ALSO ADD YOUR THOUGHTS TO THE SHREWSBURY FORUM</p> <p><a href="http://shrewsburyforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1026">http://shrewsburyforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1026</a></p> <p>ALSO ON THE HAVE YOUR SAY FORUM </p> <p><a href="http://www.shrewsbury.gov.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=235">http://www.shrewsbury.gov.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=235</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/09/9th_april~2061247/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/09/9th_april~2061247/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/07/7th_april~2051626/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-04-07:/2007/04/07/7th_april~2051626/Sat, 07 Apr 2007 22:43:50 +0200 <p>Write to Anthony Marsh, <br>Chief Executive<br>West Midlands Ambulance Service,<br>Millennium Point<br>Waterfront Business Park<br>Waterfront Way<br>Brierley Hill<br>West Midlands<br>DY5 1LX<br><a href="http://www.wmas.nhs.uk/"><a href="http://www.wmas.nhs.uk/">http://www.wmas.nhs.uk/</a></a></p> <p>Daniel Kawczynski</p> <p><a href="http://www.daniel4shrewsbury.co.uk/"><a href="http://www.daniel4shrewsbury.co.uk/">http://www.daniel4shrewsbury.co.uk/</a></a></p> <p>Owen Paterson<br><a href="http://www.owenpaterson.org.uk/"><a href="http://www.owenpaterson.org.uk/">http://www.owenpaterson.org.uk/</a></a></p> <p>Philip Dunne</p> <p><a href="http://www.philipdunne.com/"><a href="http://www.philipdunne.com/">http://www.philipdunne.com/</a></a></p> <p>David Wright</p> <p><a href="http://www.telfordlabourparty.org.uk/"><a href="http://www.telfordlabourparty.org.uk">http://www.telfordlabourparty.org.uk</a></a></p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/07/7th_april~2051626/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/07/7th_april~2051626/#commentshttp://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/06/april_6th~2046608/tag:saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk,2007-04-06:/2007/04/06/april_6th~2046608/Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:27:22 +0200 <p><strong>SHROPSHIRE EOC UNDER THREAT </p> <p>The staff of Shropshire Ambulance Service EOC had a meeting with the Chief Executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service on Wed 4th April to discuss the future plans of Shropshire's control room. The outcome of that meeting has confirmed to all the rumours that had been thrown around for well over a year now. Those that attended the meeting finally confirmed that there will be only 3 or possibly 4 regional control rooms out of the 5 that already exist in the region at present, and that it was highly unlikely that Shropshire's control would remain. Infact the members of the management team that attended did in fact offer to re-locate the staff members almost straight away. The staff would now be given options which are now open to them. Those options would really only consist of moving to one of the remaining control rooms within the region. This would give the staff a totally unreasonable journey per shift of well over 1 hour there and back on top of a 12 hour shift.</p> <p>This news was compounded further by the decision not to close Staffordshire's control room as this would cause too much out-cry and objection from the members of public who live in Staffordshire, as already proved with the announcement of the merger of Staffordshire Ambulance Service with the West Midland Ambulance Service. </p> <p>The people in Shropshire must be made aware of the danger involved in closing their ambulance control room, this decision will cost lives. Within the control room work approx 16 staff members most of which have worked for the service for a considerable length of time. They all hold vast local knowledge and great experience in everything they do. On a daily basis they guide ambulances in using maps and personal knowledge of this heavily rural county. This will be lost with the new plans to be announced in the summer, they say they have not yet decided where to base the Shropshire desk within the remaining control rooms, and due to todays technology it would not matter in theory who and where the calls were answered ??? or would it............</p> <p>A delay in directions to a ambulance crew , or a small piece of local knowledge, say a road being closed or a divertion could delay a crew getting to a patient, this could have serious consequences.</strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/06/april_6th~2046608/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://saveourambulancecontrol.blog.co.uk/2007/04/06/april_6th~2046608/#comments