A SPECIAL website has been set up in an attempt to save Worcester's ambulance call centre from closure.
Staff at the under-threat Bransford centre want people to log on, view the proposals and objections and then write to West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust's board with comments.
Liz Kabani, senior call taker and staff spokesman, said: "The staff at Hereford and Worcester emergency operations centre in Bransford would like to thank all those who are supporting our fight to retain the control room.
"We feel members of the public need a site where the arguments for and against the proposed closure can be viewed. We're fully aware of the time constraints we're up against - 12 weeks until a final decision - and we would greatly appreciate people logging on to http:// saveyoureoc.co.uk and letting us know what they think."
The trust wants to close the Bransford centre, along with one at Shrewsbury, in favour of two regional centres at Brierley Hill, near Dudley, and Stafford, and a support centre in Leamington Spa. It says that the reorganisation will benefit both staff and patients.
Trust chief executive Anthony Mars said: "Patients must come first and this is the way we believe we can significantly improve the service we provide to them. We cannot continue as we are. If someone has a better solution that tackles all of the issues highlighted in our consultation document, tell us and we will give it full consideration."
However, more than 530 people have already signed a Worcester News petition against the proposals at www.worcesternews.co.uk
Mrs Kabani said: "We need to make local knowledge an argument for rejecting the proposals, but not the one and only argument. The threatened closure potentially affects every resident of and Worcestershire and Herefordshire as well as those passing through our area. Everyone needs to take the opportunity to make their view known.
"It won't give us any satisfaction to say, I told you so' next year after the closure has gone ahead and, sadly, it all goes horribly wrong."
As well as looking at the website, people are encouraged to send their comments to West Midlands Ambulance Service, EOC Reconfiguration Consultation, Millennium Point, Waterfront Business Park, Brierley Hill, West Midlands DY5 1LX or email them at consultation@wmas.nhs.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article