Maybole ambulance axe fears aired at meeting

May 14 2008 Ayrshire Post

CONCERNS over future ambulance cover in Maybole were this week aired at a public meeting in the town.

The town’s ambulance would disappear under a proposal by the Scottish Ambulance Service. And alternative response system would be put in place if the proposal took effect.

Cathy Jamieson MSP said after the meeting: “The significant number of people at the meeting shows the level of concern over these changes.

“Any proposals from the Scottish Ambulance Service which will cut the provision of ambulance and paramedic services to any of the communities in my constituency is completely unacceptable.

“There are real concerns about where the back-up ambulances would come from, particularly if the Girvan ambulance was out on call.

“I am disappointed that the Scottish Ambulance Service chose not to consult with the local community before making these plans known in the press.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman at the meeting said no decision had yet been taken, and that a proper consultation would now be held.

But Cathy Jamieson said: “These proposed changes are especially concerning, following reports in the national press that all serious heart attack patients in Ayrshire are to be treated at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride.

“This could potentially mean that a patient in Ballantrae could face a 65-mile ambulance journey to receive treatment, bypassing the A&E units at both Ayr and Crosshouse Hospitals on the way.”