Concern over area ambulance cover

A quarter of all shifts in Llanfyllin will not be covered, say the MP and AM

Ambulance cover in an area of north Powys is severely limited this week due to a lack of staff, it is claimed.

Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik and AM Mick Bates said up to 25% of shifts in Llanfyllin would not be staffed.

The Welsh Ambulance Service said there were problems in the county with unscheduled absences, annual leave and job vacancies that had not been filled.

Last month, emergency response times fell below their target in Wales for the first time in nine months.

An internal report by the Welsh Ambulance Service said high seasonal pressures were to blame.

The problem at Llanfyllin ambulance station, which covers a rural area in north Powys, was "extremely worrying," said Mr Bates.

'Constantly striving'

He and Mr Opik said up to 16 shifts at the station might not be manned due to a lack of staff.

Mr Bates said: "With 25% of shifts unmanned in Llanfyllin this week the station will face an impossible challenge in providing vital emergency care to patients."

He urged the Welsh Assembly Government to "take action" to tackle understaffing and a lack of resources.

Mr Opik said response times could "make a difference between life and death".

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said it was "constantly striving" to provide "optimum cover" within its financial limits.

She added: "There have been issues within the Powys area resulting from current vacancies, unscheduled absences and annual leave commitments.

"The central and west region resourcing centre is working continuously to address these shortfalls with a range of actions including recruitment options and overtime allocation."

She said the service intended to cover the majority of shortfalls.

The assembly government has been asked to comment.

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