MSP CONTINUES THE FIGHT FOR NEWCASTLETON AMBULANCE

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 23rd Jul 2007

South of Scotland MSP Jim Hume has today written to the Scottish Ambulance Service to ask for the reinstatement of an ambulance in Newcastleton.

Jim Hume said:-

“It seemed only appropriate that I raise this issue with the Scottish Ambulance Service following the previous hard work of my colleague, Euan Robson, who fought on behalf of Newcastleton residents to have the service returned to the village after its relocation to Langholm.

“Whilst there is absolutely no complaint about the service provided by the paramedics, residents have reported to myself and to my colleague and local Councillor, Ron Smith, that there are continuing difficulties with vehicles taking anywhere between twenty-five minutes and two hours to arrive at the scene of an emergency.

“This is clearly no good to someone who is in dire need of immediate and possibly life saving treatment, and sadly it diminishes public confidence in our emergency services.

The MSP continued:-

“There is a lack of clarity as to where ambulances are actually coming from. Residents have stated that the vehicles can be dispatched either from Hawick or Langholm meaning that people do not know when a vehicle will arrive.

“This has shaken residents’ confidence in the local service and has caused uncertainty during an emergency situation as to when an ambulance will arrive, which quite frankly is not the type of concern any emergency caller should have to bear in mind in such a situation.

“I recall that there was discussion of having an ambulance stationed back in the village some time ago between the Service and Euan Robson, and I am pressing the Scottish Ambulance Service to do just that.”