News Release

16th May 2006

"A MERE STAY OF EXECUTION" FOR STAFFORDSHIRE AMBULANCE SERVICE

Initial joy that the Staffordshire Ambulance Service is to be saved (from merger with the West Midlands Ambulance Service) following leaks by Government spin doctors has evaporated after reading the fine print.

In a letter to Michael Fabricant, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Lord Warner, says in an addendum to his letter: "Staffordshire will remain separate for up to two years working in Partnership with the West Midlands during that period".

"This is merely a stay of execution" says Michael Fabricant. "I was lead to believe that the Ambulance Service was to be saved following strong representations made by all 12 Labour and Conservative MPs in Staffordshire to Health Ministers. But it is clear after reading the fine print that there will now be a transition period lasting less than 24 months after which the Staffordshire Ambulance Service will be absorbed totally into the West Midlands Ambulance Service.

"Apart from my anger that the Government has tried to mislead MPs and journalists by implying that our Ambulance Service is saved, I am desperately alarmed that within 2 years, our award winning service will be no more. I hope that the united front so far maintained by all Staffordshire MPs can be maintained to stop this merger from progressing.