Money has been set aside to fund 24-hour ambulance cover

Health Commissions Wales' (HCW) delay in agreeing a proposal to upgrade stations at Machynlleth, New Quay, Barmouth, Llanrwst and Corwen is jeopardising patient care, say councillors.

But HCW, set up under health authority reorganisation in April, has denied the claim, saying it is waiting for a policy decision from the assembly on the new arrangements.

Plans to upgrade the stations came after a report commissioned by the assembly two years ago which led to �2.5m in extra funding for emergency ambulance services.

More than �300,000 was set aside to give 24-hour cover at the five stations.

I am very worried the 24-hour service in New Quay hasn't been set up by this summer Cadwell Davies, New Quay councillor

"We were told we would have confirmation that these five towns would have 24-hour stations by the end of May, but we have heard nothing yet," said a Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust spokesman.

New Quay Town Councillor Cadwell Davies said the delay in upgrading the station to 24 hours was endangering people's lives.

"We currently have thousands of people staying at caravan sites in this area and the ambulance has been called out on numerous occasions last week.

"I am very worried the 24-hour service in New Quay hasn't been set up by this summer."

Ambulances in Wales are expected to hit a 50%target in responding to emergency 999 calls within eight minutes.

But the response rate in Montgomeryshire for June was only 43 per cent, mainly because only two of its five ambulance stations at Newtown and Welshpool provide 24 hour cover.

Upgrading Machynlleth station from 16 hours to 24 hour cover would enable the service to achieve its target, according to Montgomeryshire Community Health Council Chief Officer John Howard

Machynlleth would be the third 24 hour station in Montgomeryshire

He said the health watchdog had now written to HCW demanding an explanation for the delay.

"I think that HCW remain unconvinced that they will get a return in increased performance rates for the money they will be spending," he added.

"We are now very concerned that no progress has been made at Machynlleth ambulance station.

"People have been recruited and trained by the ambulance trust and are ready to move to Machynlleth but this delay could mean they will be deployed elsewhere."

Machynlleth county councillor Michael Williams said he was also concerned the delay could put patients lives at risk.

"This is making me very worried about why HCW seem to be dragging their feet on this matter," he added.

Cancer services

HCW was set up by the Welsh assembly in April to plan and commission specialised health services.

These include emergency ambulance services, specialised cancer services and NHS Direct.

A HCW spokesman said: "The assembly and HCW are not delaying an announcement on whether these five ambulance stations currently operating stand-by arrangements should be upgraded to full 24-hour cover.

"We have asked the assembly for a policy decision and we expect to be in a position to confirm its policy to us by the end of next week."