BOSSES at North West Ambulance Service are still proposing to slash weekend paramedic cover in Blackburn, Burnley and Nelson — despite some planned cuts being put on hold in Cumbria.

Last month the Lancashire Telegraph revealed the controversy surrounding the trust’s Cost Improvement Plan, which has prompted union workers to threaten strike action, citing ‘cuts to front line care’.

Under the plans, the Blackburn ambulance station would lose 7.5 hours of rapid response vehicle cover on both Saturdays and Sundays, while Nelson would lose 11.5 hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

The cover would be ‘realigned’ to Accrington, where demand has been greater, although this would be in the form of an extra urgent care vehicle, to be manned by less-qualified staff.

An intermediate care vehicle in Burnley would also be axed in favour of an urgent care vehicle.

Earlier this week NWAS agreed to pause plans to cut 999 cover in Carlisle and Penrith, after 10,000 people signed a petition opposing the proposal.

The East Lancashire cuts are still planned to go ahead, but have not been confirmed.