PARAMEDICS and ambulance management discussed the challenges facing the service in a meeting with Priti Patel, Witham MP.

They spoke about winter pressures and how the East of England Ambulance NHS Trust is integrating community services across the NHS.

She visited Witham Ambulance Station on Thursday to also speak about the trust being awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award by the Ministry of Defence.

Mrs Patel said: "The Mid Essex EEAST team are inspiring and work incredibly hard for our local area.

"We had a really productive meeting, discussing a range of issues affecting the ambulance service and current plans to address future winter pressures.

"The work EEAST is doing to integrate community health services across the local NHS is fantastic and many congratulations to all EEAST staff for receiving the Gold Award for supporting the Armed Forces.

"I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Ambulance Service and meeting the team again in future."