WORCESTERSHIRE residents are furious over plans to close the ambulance call centre at Bransford.
More than 200 people have now signed a petition, organised by the Worcester News, to keep the emergency operations centre open.
Droitwich resident Joanna Pickering said: "I believe it is vital that the ambulance control room needs to be kept at Bransford. It would be devastating if it was to move."
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust wants to close the Bransford centre, along with the one at Shrewsbury, in favour of creating two regional call centres, at Brierley Hill and Stafford, with a support centre at Leamington Spa. It claims the reconfiguration would bring direct benefits for patients, provide added resilience in the centres and be fit for future purpose'.
"Local knowledge is vital," said Maggie Taylor, of Severn Stoke. "Lives will be at risk if this control centre is closed."
Thomas Preece, of Lechmere Crescent, Malvern Link, added: "Having downsized our Worcester hospital, and not even having a hospital in Malvern, don't for heaven's sake ruin our wonderful ambulance service as well."
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