Rugby MP calls for urgent face-to-face meeting over plan to leave Rugby with just one ambulance based at St Cross

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey said he is concerned over a plan to leave Rugby with a single dedicated ambulance.

Earlier this month the Advertiser revealed that WMAS (West Midlands Ambulance Service) was planning to remove one of the ambulances based at the Hospital of St Cross.

The removed ambulance would then be based in Coventry.

A spokesperson for WMAS said the plan, set to happen by the end of March, would not affect service provision.

But a source told the Advertiser there are concerns that Rugbeians could be put in danger.

And Rugby's MP Mr Pawsey said: “Like many local residents I was very concerned to learn of the proposals by the West Midlands Ambulance Service to relocate one of the two ambulances presently based at the Hospital of St Cross to Coventry.

“I have asked the West Midlands Ambulance Service for an urgent explanation of this decision and for confirmation that patient outcomes will not be affected by this change."

Mr Pawsey added that Rugby's rapid growth means the town is in need of more health services - including at St Cross.

He said: “Rugby is one of the country’s fastest growing towns and there is a need for more health services to be based locally.

Given the record funding now going into the NHS, I am making this case directly with the Secretary of State for Health.”