A COUNCILLOR has repeated calls for assurances over plans to shelve standby ambulance services at rural stations.

Durham county councillor John Shuttleworth, who represents Weardale, had asked for a written response to his claim that the North-East Ambulance Service (NEAS) plans could cost lives, but said last night this had not been forthcoming.

NEAS has circulated a discussion document in which it says standby services at ambulance stations in Barnard Castle, Middleton-in-Teesdale and St John's Chapel - in which on-call staff travel to the station to pick up an ambulance - are not appropriate as there are so few calls.

It has suggested a mobile paramedic service. Another option could be to withdraw services at night and provide cover from nearby towns and cities.

Coun Shuttleworth, who made his demand at an ambulance trust board meeting last month, said: "There has been no answer - when I wanted an assurance in writing that shutting ambulance stations would not cost lives."

NEAS spokeswoman Tina McCrindle said: "We cannot respond to Coun Shuttleworth because at this stage we don't know whether things will change or stay the same. We don't want to pre-empt anything."

The proposals are expected to be on the agenda at a health scrutiny meeting of county council and health officials today, at Teesdale District Council.