Two new ambulances go into service in south Shropshire

West Midlands Ambulance Service said the addition of the new high dependency crews will provide greater capacity for emergency crews to respond to 999 calls across South Shropshire.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne has welcomed the news, speaking following a meeting with WMAS Chief Executive Anthony Marsh, and the General Manager for Shropshire Michelle Brotherton, Mr Dunne said: “I am pleased by the rapid action from West Midlands Ambulance Service to concerns expressed by my constituents over recent responses to emergency calls in South Shropshire. West Midlands Ambulance Service have been willing to listen directly to families affected at meetings in my office this afternoon. This responsiveness was appreciated and will help to reassure residents in Shropshire that the ambulance service is listening and taking prompt action.”

Mr Marsh said “I have taken immediate steps to improve the ambulance cover in Shropshire ensuring that excellent care continues to be provided by our crews. My staff are doing an outstanding job and working exceptionally hard to ensure high quality care is maintained and I am very proud of everything they are doing despite significant increases in 999 calls. I assure Shropshire residents that I will continue to monitor the situation and will take further action if that is required.”

Bridgnorth resident and local campaigner Paul Passant said: “I am very happy with the outcome of the meeting. I can see progress has been made in providing better cover for the Bridgnorth and South Shropshire. With the full utilisation of the Air Ambulance that can only be better for the area. I thank Mr Marsh for conveying his apologies to me for the way Thomas’s case was dealt with as he agrees it fell short of the normal standard that people have come to expect. I would like to thank Philip Dunne for the support he has given me in this campaign, and he has promised that he will continue to monitor the improvements that have been made.”

Mark Docherty, West Midlands Ambulance Commissioning Director who also attending the meeting said: “A high quality and responsive ambulance service is valued by the public, it is therefore important that the service listens to any concerns the public may have. In this instance it has been very reassuring that the ambulance service have taken the families concerns so seriously and made immediate and rapid improvements. We welcome feedback and also recognise the efforts of West Midlands Ambulance Service staff under times of significant pressure on the service.”