31/1/2006 - Special meeting to discuss Ambulance Trust boundary change proposals

At a special neighbourhood forum meeting, Eden residents will have an opportunity to air their views on the proposed boundary changes to ambulance services in the North West.

Tim Lynch, Chief Executive of Cumbria Ambulance Services will be at the meeting to give residents a presentation on the reorganisation and answer any questions they may have.   Residents will also have an opportunity to talk about the reorganisation of North Cumbria Primary Care Trusts and possible mergers with other areas at the same meeting.

County councillor Gary Strong, chairman of the county council's local committee for Eden will be chairing the forum meeting.   He said:

"This is a very important meeting for people living in Eden.   In December last year the Department of Health gave the go-ahead for consultations to start on these proposals and the consultations will last around three months.   Here in the North West they are recommending to establish a new Ambulance Service managed region-wide.   Obviously there is concern about how provision can improve when you reduce the number of ambulance services nationally from 33 to 11.  

"This meeting will give residents an opportunity to air their views with the Ambulance Services' Chief Executive and make sure that these views are taken into account during the national consultation.   I hope people take the time to come along on Monday."

The forum will meet on Monday 6th February at 7.30pm in Penrith Methodist Church on the corner of Drovers Lane and Wordsworth Street.   Anyone wanting to know more about the forum should contact the county council's area support office for Eden on 01434 382128 or 01768 242368.