999 station to close for good?

Reporter: Lucy Kenderdine
Date published: 11 October 2016


CROMPTON Ambulance Station could close permanently and be relocated to Oldham if proposals by North West Ambulance NHS Trust are given final approval.

The Moor Street site was temporarily closed in June, 2015, after safety concerns were raised following a number of targeted attacks.

A lifesaving defibrillator was stolen from the station in February, last year. Staff lockers were also raided. A car was stolen just a few months later. The Crompton-based staff and ambulance were relocated to the Oldham station, on Crofton Street, while investigations were undertaken to explore the way forward.

However, the Trust board are set to meet at the end of this month to make a final decision as to whether the site should close permanently and be disposed of.

A North West Ambulance spokesman said: "The Trust's relocation of its Crompton-based staff and ambulance was initially a temporary measure brought about by concerns for staff safety following a number of targeted acts of vandalism and crime.

"Since 2012, the Trust has been undergoing an Estates Review and profiling all of its sites to ascertain whether they are fit for purpose and to look at options such as co-sharing with fire and police services, refurbishment or relocation with a view to sell the property.

"While Crompton station was not due for an imminent review, the situation highlighted to us that there was an urgent need and so investigations were undertaken to explore a number of options.

"The Crompton ambulance was relocated to Oldham station and has been operating from there since June, 2015.

"The Trust is proposing to make this a permanent base for the Crompton ambulance and to then dispose of the Crompton site.

"The Trust board will make the final decision at the end of October."

They added that local councillors have been notified of the proposals and will be updated again after the meeting.

Councillor Diane Williamson brought up the issue of the closure of the station during a full council meeting last year.

The Lib-Dem councillor raised concerns that the closure would add extra minutes on to journey times and could put lives at risk.

However the NWAS spokesperson said their had been no adverse affect on performance since the Crompton ambulance relocated to Oldham.

They added: "It is important to note that ambulances are not routinely despatched to incidents from their base station and in the main, stations are only used as a base for breaks, restocking and at the start and end of shifts."

The Oldham station is also included in the review of estates however discussions are currently at an early stage.