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Hundreds pound the streets against ambulance cuts
UNISON organised march against the closure of Retford Ambulance Station. The march heads along Carolgate w121019-1q
CAMPAIGNERS marched through Retford in protest at the planned closure of the town’s ambulance station.
More than 200 people pounded the streets waving banners and chanting slogans.
They were protesting about East Midlands’ Ambulance Service’s consultation Being The Best.
It has earmarked Worksop and Retford ambulance stations for closure, along with 64 others across the East Midlands.
Instead, EMAS proposes a ‘hub’ and spoke model which would see ambulances stationed at a large hub in Mansfield.
Once out on their shifts, crews would be positioned at smaller posts and stand-by points around the district.
Bassetlaw MP John Mann said: “We are marching to save lives because if our ambulance stations close these are what will be put at risk.”
“The ambulance service are making proposals that will suit areas like Nottingham or Mansfield but an urban solution is not compatible with the rural needs of an area like Bassetlaw.”
“We need ambulances close at hand not forever trekking to and from a hub on the other side of Mansfield.”
“It’s important that the bosses at the top of the ambulance service learn that their one fit solution is not suitable for Bassetlaw and they need to think again.”
“Petitions and consultation forms are being completed all over the place and this demonstration and the one in Worksop next Wednesday is a very visible way of highlighting our concerns.”
Public services union UNISON organised the march and have planned another in Worksop next Wednesday 24th October.
Find out more about the EMAS Being The Best consultation online at www.emas.nhs.uk, by emailing beingthebest@emas.nhs.uk or calling freephone 0800 917 9911.
• For more photos and reaction from the marches, see next week’s Worksop Guardian - out Friday 26th October.
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Weather for Gainsborough
Sunday 19 May 2013
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