AMBULANCE bosses are planning to close Greater Manchester's two main stations and centralise services on one site.

The stations earmarked for closure are Whitefield and Belle Vue.

But GM Ambulance Service bosses have denied rumours that the Ladybridge Hall training centre in Bolton is to close.

At present the paramedic emergency control is sited at Belle Vue and the service HQ is in Whitefield.

The restructuring plans have been sent out to staff for consultation.

A spokeswoman for GMAS said: "The motivation behind the proposal is the need to re-house the paramedic emergency control.

"If possible, this will be undertaken before the Millennium. If the processes are not agreed and approved within the necessary timescales, then the change will not take place until the Year 2000.

"The proposals to centralise these areas of operation are necessary for further expansion and development of the service in line with both current and future demand.

"GMAS is taking the plans through all the normal review procedure, which includes public consultation. The proposals affecting ambulance stations as well as the control will provide a technical infrastructure and a much improved working environment.

"This is at a time when the service is developing call prioritisation and working towards and achieving national targets and guidelines."

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