EMERGENCY calls for ambulances in Wiltshire could be answered in Avon.

Staff have been told that from April all 999 calls from Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Avon could be handled at a central call centre in Avon.

Workers say lives will be put at risk if the move goes ahead because call handlers in Avon would not have the expert local knowledge of those in Wiltshire.

They also say money invested in the Joint Services Control Centre in Devizes, which opened in 2003 and which Wiltshire's ambulance, fire and police services share, will have been wasted. The move follows the merger between the former Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Ambulance Trusts to form the Great Western Ambulance Trust.

One emergency call handler, who did not want to be named, told the Wiltshire Times: "Lives have been saved because the police, ambulance and fire service all work together.

"I am within shouting distance from the fire supervisor and next to the police officer and we all have local knowledge. I think this will cost lives.

"We worked all over Christmas and New Year for no extra money. We've worked so hard and they don't seem to care for their staff.

"I have been told my job is not safe. They have said there will be jobs for everyone, but not necessarily emergency call-taking jobs, so you could find yourself working in catering. They also said people might get the job they want but not in the place they want - you could end up having to work in Avon."

Steve Smart, UNISON branch chairman for the Great Western Ambulance Service, said he had been told the call centre for the ambulance service would be moved but had been assured no jobs would be lost.

The new system would see calls answered in Avon and then routed back to Wiltshire for ambulance crews to be sent out, using a Computer Aided Dispatch system.

Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service call handlers look likely to remain in the Joint Services Control Centre, although fire service staff have been told they could move to a regional control centre in Taunton in 2008.

A spokesman for the Great Western Ambulance Service, said: "There is a review of the whole call centre service under way and no decision has been made yet."

  • THIS week we are asking readers to vote on the following question: Do you agree with switching the 999 call centre out of Wiltshire to Avon? click here to register your vote.