Witney MP meets 999 staff (From Witney Gazette)

Witney MP meets 999 staff

2:45pm Friday 3rd March 2006 in Witney By Victoria Owen

WITNEY MP David Cameron has met paramedics and 999 operators to question them about plans to merge Oxfordshire Ambulance Trust with neighbouring services.

Mr Cameron was non-committal about the proposals, which could come into force in July, following a public consultation, but said it was important that health managers and shop-floor staff were given their say.

During a visit to Oxfordshire Ambulance Trust's headquarters, on the Churchill Hospital site, in Headington, Oxford, Mr Cameron questioned call room staff about whether a larger service covering many counties would make their jobs more difficult.

They admitted local knowledge could be lost if the merger led to bigger call centres.

Mr Cameron said: "I do believe a lot that what's important is listening to staff in the health service.

"They're the ones who can see the advantages and disadvantages. As we have seen here, they want to keep the local knowledge they have.

"I do believe a lot that what's important is listening to staff in the health service."

David Cameron MP

"The Government often looks at things from a regional point of view, rather than linking up places that have a relationship with each other. Oxfordshire would work well with other counties in Thames Valley."

The ambulance trust merger is part of a nationwide scheme to reduce the number of trusts from 31 to 11.

Oxfordshire would unite with services in Berkshire and Hampshire, and the Buckinghamshire section of Two Shires Ambulance Service.

Members of the public are being invited to comment on the proposals by Wednesday, March 22.