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Ambulance service fears

Penny Coles
13/ 6/2007

FEARS have been expressed that Glossop ambulance station is being downgraded.

Councillor Anthony McKeown says he has received unconfirmed reports about staff shortages and worries over the ambulance station being closed.

He said: "I want to try to find out some more about what is going on at the ambulance station. I received a report from a local resident earlier this month that the station was closed.

"And I am worried about the time it can take for an ambulance to reach Glossop if it has to come from Ashton or Dukinfield."

Glossop's ambulance station is based at Chapel Street and there is one ambulance which operates from it.

There are two additional ambulance stations outside Glossop, based at Ashton and Dukinfield.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Ambulance Service admitted the station at Glossop may at times be unmanned.

But he added that Glossop is always covered by ambulances from other areas.

The spokesman said: "There is an emergency ambulance based at Chapel Street which is operational 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year.

"When staff who usually man this vehicle are away from duties, staff from neighbouring stations will work within the Glossop area.

"The nearest available vehicle will always be allocated to an accident requiring an emergency response.

"The North West ambulance service endeavours to reach all patients in the quickest time possible."