Welshpool Air Ambulance base has been deemed not to be ‘good value for money’ in documents proposing the base's closure.

In documents released this week as part of the final public engagement on the future of the base, it has been revealed Welshpool is not considered “good value for money” – despite modelling showing it to be one of the most effective for outcomes in Wales.

It was revealed last week that the bases now appear doomed to closure, with both of the preferred options seeing the Welshpool and Caernarfon bases closed and merged at a new site in Rhuddlan in North Wales.

This was labelled a “disgraceful development” as data modelling showed that these options would likely have a negative effect on the service in Gwynedd, Ceredigion and western Powys.

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However, the documents released reveal the decision is partly down to financial considerations.

In the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service - Service Review, that was put together it said: “NHS Wales health board representatives gave Option 6 (Keeping the bases open and adding a new vehicle) a total weighted score of 550 (4th in terms of ranking).”

They added that while “Option 6c scored well against the Health Gain and Equity factors. It did not score well against factors 3, 4 and 5” which are “Clinical Skills and Sustainability, Affordability and Value for Money”.

“This was because extra base facilities would need to be provided alongside the introduction of an extra crew that would be used on an infrequent basis.”

Chief Ambulance Services Commissioner, Stephen Harrhy – who ran the public engagement over last year – said in the report: “This Review is focusing on improving – what is already – a brilliant and highly valued service. This is not, and never has been, a cost-saving exercise.”

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Hundreds of residents in Powys come out to take part in public meetings and give written and verbal feedback on what they wanted the future of the base to look like – with a “consensus of support” for the option which would see the bases kept where they are with extra vehicles.

When questioned over the financial implications, Mr Harrhy said: “All options, detailed in the Phase 3 engagement document, cost more money.

“None of the options involve cost-savings.

“Indeed, the costs of providing this service are projected to increase year on year. This will inevitably require ongoing support of the Charity to ensure this partnership between the Charity and NHS Wales to continue delivering this special life-saving service.”

To have your say on the future of the base you can contact Llais, an organisation that helps people in Wales have more say about health and care services and insisted on the final engagement, by ringing  02920 235 558 or emailing: enquiries@llaiscymru.org or writing to  Llais, 3rd Floor, 33 - 35 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9HB.

You can also contact EASC who ran the previous engagement by ringing: 01443 471520, emailing: EASCServiceReviewQueries@wales.nhs.uk or writing to EMRTS Service Review Feedback, EASC/NCCU, Unit 1 Charnwood Court, Heol Billingsley, Nantgarw, Cardiff, CF15 7QZ.