PUBLIC meetings have been held in Tywyn and Pwllheli to provide people with the opportunity to have their say on plans to centralise the Wales Air Ambulance service.

These plans could lead to the closure of bases in Caernarfon and Welshpool.

The meetings, organised by Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS Mabon ap Gwynfor, MP Liz Saville Roberts, and Pwllheli Town Council were well-attended, with campaigners united behind the call to safeguard the bases.  

Audience members heard directly from people who have benefited from the emergency care provided by the Wales Air Ambulance Service and why maintaining the current sites in Caernarfon and Welshpool is vital for communities in rural, mid and northwest Wales.

Mabon ap Gwynfor MS and Liz Saville Roberts MP said: “It was encouraging to see so many in attendance at the public meetings in Tywyn and Pwllheli, with representation from right across Gwynedd and beyond.

“We were all there as friends of the charity, to unite behind a common cause which is dear to our hearts and which we want to see safeguarded locally within our communities.

“But too many important questions remain unanswered, and there is substantial doubt as to the reliability of the data being used to underpin decisions which will inevitably have far-reaching implications for our communities.

“We have repeatedly urged Air Ambulance managers and Welsh Government to prove that the proposed change won't compromise the present availability and response times of the Air Ambulance to those communities which depend upon the charity in emergencies.

“That's why it is vital that we all fully scrutinise the plans, and it is why we, and our Plaid Cymru colleagues have called on the First Minister to commission an independent analysis of the data that underpins the charity's proposals, which they have refused to publish.

“The Wales Air Ambulance charity has proven itself time and again to be invaluable to our communities, particularly far-to-reach areas such as south Meirionnydd and Pen Llyn.

READ MORE:

Plans to remove Caernarfon Air Ambulance base would be ‘huge loss’

“We are fervent supporters of the service, and as critical friends we aim to make sure that the correct decision is made in the interests of the people we represent.

“We would like to thank everyone who have so far attended public meetings in Tywyn, Pwllheli and Porthmadog, especially those who have so passionately shared their own stories about why having the Air Ambulance located so close is a necessity.

“There is collective agreement that this lifesaving emergency service must be safeguarded within timely reach of our communities, and we remain unconvinced about the data, how it’s been collected, used and what it means in a ‘real world’ situation.

“We will continue to hold the decision makers to account and appeal to everyone who shares our concerns to respond to the public consultation and send a clear message that this service must be retained locally.”