Vera Baird today made the following comment on the decision by the independent reconfiguration panel to support the North East Ambulance Service’s plans to relocate the Teesside control centre to Tyneside.

“I am disappointed by this decision.  In my view the process has failed to take account of the views of local practitioners and residents, and this has been reflected in the panel decision.  No one on Teesside wants the control centre to move and this decision has caused dismay in Redcar.

“People suspect that the decision was a ‘done deal’ before the consultation process, because of the lack of transparency in the process and the disregard for the public throughout.

“This should provide a good example for other public service organisations on how not to make such decisions.    Bearing in mind the risk that the public clearly see in moving their control centre, I am expecting anxious discussions to see what further steps we can take.”