North Norfolk ambulance cover cut dropped after study

Proposed cuts to ambulance cover in North Norfolk have been abandoned after a study revealed a rise of almost 6% in calls since April.

NHS Norfolk has given East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS) an extra £3m.

This will pay for two extra ambulances in North Norfolk - one for 20 hours a day in Cromer and the other 16 hours a day in North Walsham.

A Labour Party campaign petition had already gathered nearly 5,000 signatures against any cuts.

The increased demand for ambulances in the area was revealed at a meeting on Friday.

In July, EEAS announced proposals which they said would see resources better matched to the needs of local communities.

At that time Cromer would have lost one full-time ambulance, leaving a part-time vehicle and crew, and a rapid response vehicle.

For North Walsham it meant losing its rapid response vehicle.

EEAS also wanted to reduce Fakenham's rapid response vehicle cover by five hours a day.

The proposal is still under consideration and, because of the increase in demand being experienced across the region, EEAS is now looking again at all the proposed changes.