Conference centre plan for ambulance station

A PLAN has been submitted to turn Solihull Ambulance Station into a conference centre – but keeping space for ambulances.

                 

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Medica Group has applied for planning permission from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council for the Hermitage Road station.

It seeks changing its official use to a conference centre, training venue, offices and ambulance station.

The station will close under controversial plans to re-organise the ambulance service across the West Midlands.

It will operate ambulances from 15 West Midlands “hubs” and 88 “remote” operating points, such as Knowle, increasing total regional places from 88 to 146.

Medica said its facility will provide training for healthcare professionals and can be hired by residents, the planning application says.

It adds: “The applicant recognises the importance of retaining an ambulance station and, as part of ongoing discussions with the ambulance service, has sought to make provisions for this.”

The plan will “ensure this well located and sustainable site continues in productive use”.

West Midlands Ambulance Service pledged to replace the station with five sites in Solihull.

No site has been announced for Knowle and Dorridge after plans for to station two ambulances at Arden school were withdrawn.

The service said demand is rising and the changes will ensure serious cases are attended more quickly.

It said: “The ambulance service of the future is one where the patient will be given the right treatment,  first time, every time. Life-threatening cases will be attended to faster and treated to increasingly more advanced levels.”

To see the planning application click here and enter 2013 and 1505 in the two boxes.

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