Powys: Wales Air Ambulance chief comments on final report

On Wednesday (March 13), a report recommended that the Welshpool and Caernarfon bases should be consolidated into a single site in North Wales.

Stephen Harrhy, Chief Ambulance Services Commissioner, and head of the public meetings regarding the base's future, issued a statement on the report and what is next regarding its recommendations. 

While the decision is not final, the report’s recommendations will be voted on by the heads of Wales' health boards on Tuesday (March 19) and sparked strong reactions from politicians and campaigners who have been opposed to the proposal since it was first announced in August 2022.

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Mr Harrhy noted that he felt the report itself had provided “rich intelligence about broader health system issues”.

He said: “The purpose of the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) Service Review is to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from excellent clinical patient outcomes by making the best use of the clinical teams in Wales.  It is also looking at how to ensure fair geographical coverage across Wales and the effective use of Rapid Response Vehicles (RRV).

“The review has included public and stakeholder engagement since March 2023 until February 2024 and this extensive listening exercise has provided valuable insights that I have taken on board in the development of recommendations of the future of EMRTS in Wales.

“I am grateful for all the contributions throughout the engagement.  It has provided rich intelligence about broader health system issues. This has been integral to the review process, and I have been able to feed this back to Health Boards.

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“Alongside this feedback I have also analysed historical data, modelled scenarios and undertaken an option appraisal workshop.

“This work has resulted in four recommendations going to the Emergency Ambulance Services Committee meetings on 19 and 28 March for members to decide on.

“This is already an excellent critical care service and there are opportunities for the Charity, EMRTS and the public to work together to ensure we have an air ambulance service that continues to develop and deliver effectively to serve the communities of Wales.”