A PUBLIC debate on the future of rural ambulance services will take place tonight.
The 7pm meeting at St John's Chapel Town Hall, in Upper Weardale, County Durham, will give residents the opportunity to hear first-hand from ambulance trust officials about proposed changes.
The North-East Ambulance Service (NEAS) wants to do away with permanently manned stations in St John's Chapel, Middleton-in-Teesdale and Barnard Castle. This system relies on staff being roused from their beds to answer 999 calls after working a 12 day shift.
Instead, it wants community paramedics to provide cover on a 24-hour shift system. If necessary, an ambulance could be dispatched as back-up.
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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