CLOSING Bedford’s 999 emergency call centre will mean a worse service for the public, health union Unison has warned after service bosses said the controversial cuts would go ahead.

The public-sector union said experienced staff would leave the service due to having to relocate, resulting in the loss of valuable specific local knowledge.

After East of England Ambulance Service’s initial closure announcement last September led to an outcry from staff, local politicians and the public health bosses opened a review of the decision in February.

Unison East of England Ambulance Service branch chair Glenn Carrington said: “Staff have been left shocked by this latest announcement.

“Just a couple of months after being told their jobs were safe with promises of being consulted about the future, they’re again being threatened with the chop.

“It was clear when the ambulance service first floated closing the Bedford emergency centre that residents value the specific local knowledge staff have. This decision will mean a worse service.

“Staff are furious at this announcement and will be meeting soon to decide what steps they can take to try to reverse this decision.”

Staff have been told that the Bedford centre is to close within two years, with Chelmsford’s emergency call centre also set to shut and a new site opening in Essex.

This would leave only the Norwich emergency call centre in its current state, according to the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (EEAST) board.

East of England Ambulance Service said its board took the latest decision on May 7 subject to a full business case, adding: “This is the best option for our future resilience and for the service for our patients.”