Ambulance operations centre: "We must keep the experienced staff in Bedford who have helped saved countless lives," says MP

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Mohammad Yasin has raised the issue of Bedford’s beleaguered ambulance operations centre in the House of Commons.

During today’s (Tuesday) health and social care questions in Parliament, the Bedford MP asked the Minister of State for the Department of Health and Social Care about the Hammond Road centre.

The East of England Ambulance Service Trust currently runs three emergency operations centres in Bedford, Chelmsford and Norwich.

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And despite the trust insisting no decision has been made, Mr Yasin is convinced Bedford is earmarked for closure – and he’s not the only one with a petition attracting over 2,000 so far.

Mohammad Yasin MP for Bedford and KempstonMohammad Yasin MP for Bedford and Kempston
Mohammad Yasin MP for Bedford and Kempston

In the Commons, the Bedford MP asked minister Karin Smyth: “The East of England ambulance service NHS trust remains at the highest escalation level – level 4 – as call handlers in Bedford remain under immense pressure after responding to 39,000 calls between Christmas and new year.

"Despite the unprecedented demand, the trust is considering closing the Bedford emergency operation centre, putting nearly 200 jobs at risk. Given that resources are already stretched to the limit in Bedford, does the secretary of state agree that we must keep experienced staff who have helped to save countless lives in the region?”

But her reply will no doubt do little to allay Mr Yasin’s fears.

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Ms Smyth said: "Decisions on the configuration of call centres are a matter for local trusts in consultation with staff and representatives, and I encourage him to continue to engage with the trust in the interests of his constituents.”

A review has begun to decide how many emergency operations centres the East of England Ambulance Service Trust requires, with a further analysis of each site expected if necessary.

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