By David Lawrence - Local Democracy Reporter

The chief executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) is to be asked to draw up an action plan to deliver a better service to Warwickshire residents.

The decision was taken at this week's [TUE] full council meeting of Warwickshire County Council but members decided against pushing for a standalone ambulance service.

Cllr Margaret Bell (Con, Hartshill and Mancetter), the portfolio holder for adult social care and health, referred to a recent presentation from the WMAS to an overview and scrutiny committee which explained that many problems around waiting times were linked to other factors.

She said: "I would really welcome a meeting so the chief executive can put forward an action plan to improve the services for our residents. However, I do not think we will be able to engage the chief executive in a discussion on the reorganisation of the ambulance service at this stage.

"We did used to have a Coventry and Warwickshire Ambulance Trust but West Midlands Ambulance Service was formed in 2006 – they were brought together to provide efficiencies, economies of scale and, most importantly, to have things like the call centre done centrally so that as much resource as possible could be put into frontline services.

"I think we can only work within the current structure – I don't think it is profitable to push for a change – but within that structure there is nothing stopping us from being ambitious for our residents in terms of getting an improved ambulance service."

The Labour group had originally put forward a motion calling for a Warwickshire Ambulance Service to be created but the watered down version was accepted as a 'friendly' amendment and given unanimous support.

Cllr Sarah Boad (Lib Dem, Leamington North) said: "I think the amendment we are now debating is the way forward, I don't think there is any chance at the moment that anyone is going to consider splitting up the ambulance trust and to do it here you would have to do it everywhere.

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"But it is absolutely right that our residents are getting the best deal – we are seeing cases now of people dying because an ambulance does not get there in time."

And council leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe (Con, Stour and the Vale) added: "I think the reality is that we need to work with the art of the possible and not the impossible. The initial motion by Labour was, frankly, the art of the impossible.

"Where we are now is a resolution which will put us in a position of discussion and dialogue with the ambulance service."

(Image via West Midlands Ambulance Service)