Talks on future of Retford base

Talks have taken place to try and save Retford Ambulance Station after it was earmarked for closure by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS).

Bassetlaw councillor Adele Mumby met face to face with EMAS chief Phil Milligan last week to fight for the station’s future.

She believes there is a strong case for keeping it open to serve the town and the more rural Bassetlaw communities.

“Having worked on Bassetlaw Save Our Services and the ambulance stations campaign, I arranged to meet with Mr Milligan myself to see if I can work alongside him to come up with a solution for Retford,” said Coun Mumby, who was joined by Unison rep Emma Bardney.

“We are pretty certain that Worksop Ambulance Station is safe, which is a result in itself. But emergency cover in east Bassetlaw needs looking at.”

Coun Mumby is a volunteer commuinity first responder for EMAS. She said they discussed with Mr Milligan the best location for a station in Retford.

“I told him that where the ambulance station is at the moment, on North Road, is the best location for it,” she said.

She explained that it allowed easy access to the rural villages and avoided congested routes like those around Asda and Retford Hospital.

“Mr Milligan seemed keen to work with us to find a solution. He knows that Bassetlaw won’t back down.”

EMAS will deliver its final estates strategy to its board on 25th March. It follows a public consultation on plans to reshape the service and close ambulance stations, which attracted strong opposition in Bassetlaw.