Bedford emergency call centre remains open after campaign by GMB and local MPs
GMB Union welcomes the reprieve for Bedford Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) but warns that the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has more work to do.
The decision to close Bedford EOC looks set to be reversed, following a campaign by GMB Union with local MP Mohammad Yasin and Norwich South MP, Clive Lewis.
The EEAST Board rejected the closure, citing the potential harm to patients and to the Trust’s reputation.
Over 200 staff were told to relocate to the more expensive areas of Chelmsford or Norwich or find themselves made redundant.
The potential job losses as well as the negative impact on patient safety prompted GMB to fight the closure, including writing recently to the CEO.
The union, supported by local MPs, argued that closing Bedford would exacerbate existing staff shortages and lead to even longer emergency response times.
A recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) report found that urgent action was needed to improve insufficient staffing in EOCs, drive down waiting times to pick up 999 calls, and respond to category 2 emergency calls within the 30-minute national standard.
Despite accepting the CQC’s findings, EEAST’s CEO is still pushing to close Bedford.
Mohammad Yasin MP said:
“I welcome the Board’s decision and I hope it means a renewed commitment to Bedford’s emergency control centre and much needed investment.
“Bedford is a busiest hub in the EEAST and its closure would have had a significant impact on the region.
“Given how overstretched the ambulance service is, losing a control room would have risked compromising the safety of patients.
“This news will also be an enormous relief for Bedford’s dedicated staff. Their roles are demanding enough without the added stress of worrying about their job security.”
Donna Thomas, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“We welcome the announcement that EEAST’s Board has reconsidered the reckless proposal to close Bedford EOC.
“The proposed closure would have had a serious knock-on effect on ambulance cover across the region and threatened public safety.
“GMB is enormously grateful to Clive Lewis MP and Mohammad Yasin MP for their tireless support.
“Despite this good news there are still serious problems in the Trust, and they need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
