Unison said standby cover practice was 'unhealthy and dangerous'

Trade union Unison said it was "unhealthy and dangerous" for paramedics and other staff to continue on standby after shifts had finished.

The dispute affects Bala and Tywyn in Gwynedd and Knighton and Llanfyllin in Powys - the only Welsh ambulance stations not crewed full-time.

The authorities say talks are to continue on Wednesday.

Dave Galligan, Unison Cymru's head of health, said they had been trying to find a resolution to the 24-hour cover issue for the last eight weeks.

I don't want the constituents to be in any sort of danger because they live in Meirionnydd Elfyn Llwyd MP

He said the current practice of paramedics and ambulance crews being on standby cover during the night after finishing a shift at midnight was "unhealthy and dangerous" and could not be condoned.

Crews could be called on two or three times a night after finishing their shift, he said.

"Ambulance crews have to function effectively. They're driving a complex vehicle over difficult terrain, often with very ill patients.

"We believe the public in these communities should not have to accept a lower standard of access to 24-hour ambulance cover than anybody living in Cardiff, Carmarthen or Bangor.

Mr Galligan said there were further meetings arranged with the ambulance trust but said the trust was in difficulty "because they have no extra resources".

Elfyn Llwyd said his constituents deserve a full service

He said it was up to Health Commission Wales, the assembly government's executive agency, "to start getting directly involved because ultimately they are the people who are fully responsible".

Elfyn Llwyd, the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy MP told BBC Radio Cymru that the ambulance crews needed more resources.

Both he and local AM Dafydd Elis Thomas are to discuss the matter with the Welsh Health Minister Brian Gibbons.

"I don't want the constituents to be in any sort of danger because they live in Meirionnydd. The deserve a full service."

Mr Llwyd said that local people are "very concerned" and he hoped they would not see any sort of tragedy because of the situation.

'Satisfactory way forward'

A spokesperson from the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust said talks on 24-hour cover at the four stations were ongoing.

A meeting with the trade unions is due to take place on Wednesday "to discuss a satisfactory way forward".

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson also said its officials were in contact with the Welsh Ambulance Trust.

"We understand that the trust will be meeting with the trade unions this week for further discussions to try and resolve the issue."