A COUNCILLOR has been appointed to collect evidence on the new-look ambulance service to judge whether money-saving changes have made it worse.

The East of England Ambulance Service has slashed services in a bid to save £50million.

Clacton will lose one of its two full-time ambulances, while Weeley is set to lose both its round-the-clock vehicles.

Concerned district councillors met with ambulance bosses recently.

Tendring Council leader Neil Stock praised frontline workers for the job they do under difficult circumstances, but said he still had concerns.

He said: “We discovered that in Tendring the Ambulance Service is only just short of meeting its target of getting to 75 per cent of call-outs within 8 minutes.

“What we need to know is just how long it takes when they do miss the 8 minute target – is it is just over or a lot more?

“They are now facing drastic and savage cuts and we need to keep in touch with what the issues and changes are.”

Councillor Lynda McWilliams has been appointed to keep an eye on the service and the effects the changes could have.