With continued reports of ambulances being delayed getting to Warwickshire patients, Labour councillors have asked for an urgent update on issues faced by West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS).

Cllr John Holland said: "The county council asked in January that the chief executive of the West Midlands Ambulance Service to see how the ambulance service can be strengthened and agree a plan for Warwickshire.

"Given that West Midlands Ambulance Service director Mark Docherty has said he thinks the ambulance service is in such a crisis it could fail in August, we really need to find out what can be done now."

The Labour group leader added: "Whilst we all have the utmost confidence in our paramedics and ambulance technicians; both their skills and their dedication to their job, I am really extremely concerned about the service that West Midlands Ambulance Service are providing to us in Warwickshire.

"The Labour group are now asking to see what can be done to improve the service right now, as residents' safety needs to be the top priority.

"I would like to say that I'm sure that underfunding has played a big part in performance issues and have nothing but praise for the dedicated work of our local ambulance service personnel."

Speaking at yesterday's (July 19) full Warwickshire County Council meeting Cllr Holland asked for an update follow the council's request that WMAS deliver an action plan to improve its service.

Cllr Margaret Bell, portfolio holder for adult social care and health, reassured Cllr Holland that progress was being made.

"I am sure you all know that there is a national issue about ambulance service and certainly we have an issue in Warwickshire too," she said.

"We may not be the worst area but that doesn't matter, we are still being impacted by it."

She added: "There have been a number of operational meetings to look at specific issues but the new integrated care board has now agreed to put together a strategic meeting of all the key players to see how can we work together.

"This is a systems issue, it isn't just about ambulances.

"There are lots of things in the puzzle that fit together and either mean it works or it doesn't work. We need this strategic overview meeting which is being arranged and there will be a report back."

(Image by Makizox via wikimedia.commons)