The proposed reorganisation of Wales Air Ambulance Bases was debated in the Senedd this week
Following a proposal to reorganise Wales Air Ambulance bases last August, a motion calling for the Welsh Government to work with its NHS partners and the Welsh Air Ambulance Charitable Trust to ensure that air ambulance bases in Welshpool and Caernarfon remain in operation was debated in the Senedd this week. The motion was submitted by the Welsh Conservatives with support from other political parties.
The original proposals brought forward last year would lead to the closure of Air Ambulance bases in Welshpool and Caernarfon. The move would see crews combined into a new North Wales base. The proposals have been met with widespread concerns, with over 20,000 people signing a paper and online petition.
The proposals and information that has been used to support them, have been the topic of questioning by politicians in the Senedd, but this week, Russell George MS led a debate on the Wales Air Ambulance bases reorganisation and called for the retention of the bases in Welshpool and Caernarfon.
The motion was supported by politicians from across political parties, but mid Wales politicians Eluned Morgan MS who is also the Health and Social Care Minister and Labours Joyce Watson MS both voted against.
Commenting after the debate, Mr George said:
''I was pleased to lead the debate in the Senedd this week, what I wanted to achieve was for Senedd Members to be aware of the significant frustration there is from residents across Mid and North Wales over proposals to close the bases in Welshpool and Caernarfon.''
''There has been great confusion on who is responsible for the proposals and who is leading them. Welsh Government ministers have previously attempted to distance themselves from their involvement and responsibility.'
''I was glad that in responding to me, the minister seemed to recognise that there has been confusion since last August and now accepts the Welsh Governments responsibility in the proposals.''
''I was grateful that Senedd members across parties supported and backed up my view that analysis and data from the original proposals were very questionable and based on dubious assumptions. I now want Welsh Government ministers to work with their NHS partners to ensure that the proposals that come forward retain the bases in Welshpool and Caernarfon because we need a safe Air Ambulance in mid Wales.'
