Fears for future of Paignton ambulance station

A campaign has been launched amid uncertainty over the future of Paignton’s Ambulance Station.

Located on Totnes Road in the centre of Paignton, the station houses four emergency ambulances, which are regularly crewed and deployed from the site.

The building is currently rented by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and shared with St John Ambulance. 

However, it has been confirmed that the building will no longer be available for operational use after September, when the lease expires, and will not be renewed.

There are currently no confirmed plans to relocate the ambulance station, its resources or staff to an alternative site within Paignton. This has raised concerns about the potential impact on local response times, particularly during the busy summer months.

Former Conservative Torbay MP Kevin Foster said: “The loss of an ambulance station in Paignton could have a significant effect on patient safety and increase response times with longer journeys from stations further away. NHS bosses should look at other options in Paignton to maintain their presence, including sites owned by Torbay Council, rather than abandon having an ambulance station in the heart of Paignton.

“This potential closure coming so soon after the dreadful news that Torbay Hospital’s much-needed rebuild was being delayed by Labour ministers for a decade is another blow to local health services.”

Residents, businesses and others concerned about the future of the ambulance station are being invited to sign a petition titled Save Paignton Ambulance Station. More details can be found at https://www.kevinjfoster.com/campaigns/save-paignton-ambulance-station