Calls for St Johns 999 Service in Rhayader to be Maintained

Powys Liberal Democrats have called for commitments for St Johns 999 response service to remain in place after it emerged that the service had been suspended.

St Johns is understood to be currently in the process of renewing its contracts with the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, but there have been reports of some ‘undisclosed’ issues with the Rhayader Branch.

Rhayader Town Council had been assured this was not a response issue, a clinical issue or a complaint.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Rhayader Angela Davies is calling on residents to make their views known to the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and has stated she will work with the Town Council and County Councillors for the surrounding wards to protect the service.

Commenting Cllr Angela Davies said:

“The St Johns service in Rhayader is an absolutely vital service for Rhayader and the surrounding area, covering a huge geographical range.

“Often, the St Johns service in Rhayader is the only out-of-hours emergency service on duty in mid-Powys given that staffing and rota problems for the NHS ambulance stations mean they are rarely all manned 24/7.

“This is not even to mention the long periods of time ambulances already have to wait at backed-up A&E departments.

“I will be standing with my colleges on Rhayader Town Council to fight against any loss of this vital emergency response service to our community and hope my colleagues in the surrounding areas will join me in doing the same.”