|
||
|
Outcry over plan to axe ambulance service
A furios community say lives could be lost if their ambulance service is axed.
Residents have predicted "disaster" should health chiefs pull the plug on the rescue vehicle.
The Ayrshire Post can reveal that Scottish ambulance bosses have targeted Maybole as one of the towns to lose their crew as part of a nationwide cull.
Under radical restructuring plans, they’ll be replaced by a ‘rapid response unit’ — a car which carries paramedics.
But critics are lining up to attack the move and say health bosses are playing with fire by chopping a crucial service.
An ambulance insider insisted: "What they’re trying to do here is a piece of nonsense and everyone should know about it.
"It’s all very well to have a rapid response vehicle in Maybole, but all it has is a paramedic who can treat you before an ambulance arrives.
"So what if the nearest ambulances in Girvan or Ayr are out on other calls? The car doesn’t take passengers so you can’t be treated."
Maybole community leaders have joined forces to hit out and are already promising to fight any axe that falls.
Community councillor, David Kiltie, confessed: "This will be a disaster if it’s allowed to happen.
"And you have to wonder if it’s some kind of retribution against us for our campaign against closing the Accident and Emergency unit at Ayr.
"No matter how you look at it, this is a downgrading of the service and that leads to the potential of serious consequences.
"You hope those won’t be fatal but logic tells you the threat is very much there. We’ll definitely lead a campaign to fight this."
But ambulance bosses claim their plan is actually an IMPROVEMENT and the public shouldn’t be worried.
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: "It won’t seem like it to most people, but this will provide a better service.
"At the moment it’s only a plan, but having a rapid response vehicle instead of an ambulance allows Maybole’s station to be manned 24 hours a day.
"We’ve analysed the demand pattern for the area in terms of call outs and we don’t think it will impact too greatly.
"The net effect of this move would be quicker response times."
Cumnock, Carrick and Doon Valley MSP, Cathy Jamieson, is backing her constituents’ cause.
She said: "Any reduction or cutback in the level of service for Maybole, or any other rural communities in Carrick or the Doon Valley, is completely unacceptable.
"And rural areas must have confidence that they can expect quick response times and the highly trained paramedic staff that are so vital in saving lives.
"The Scottish Ambulance Service must publish its detailed proposals for change in Ayrshire. If the Ambulance Service describe these changes as an ‘upgrade’ then they have a duty to explain to the public who will be affected and who rely on them for life-saving emergency treatment.
"And they should engage directly with local organisations, and concerned residents before making any final decision. The priority must be to save lives."
A few weeks ago members of the community council had heard that the ambulance was to be replaced by a car and a paramedic and also that the ambulance station was to be closed.
On April 9 Mr Mason contacted Cathy Jamieson MSP saying, “There is a very strong rumour going about that the ambulance office in Maybole is being closed and the ambulance that is based in Maybole is being replaced with a car and a paramedic.
“I was wondering if you could confirm, or deny this rumour, as this will be of major concern to the public.”
Ms Jamieson contacted Daren Mochrie, General Manager of the South West Division of the Scottish Ambulance Service, who told her that they were “reviewing ambulance provision across the area and once we finalise what the proposed changes are we will communicate this. There are no plans to remove ambulance cover from Maybole albeit the existing cover arrangements may be different to what they are now and enhanced greatly.”
Ms Jamieson was scheduled to meet with Mr Mochrie on April 18 when the matter was discussed again. She asked Daren Mochrie, to contact Mr Mason about possible changes to the ambulance service. She thought that it would be helpful if Maybole Community Council were kept fully up to speed with any proposed changes, particularly following on from recent local concerns.
Two weeks later, Mr Mason had heard nothing until the story appeared in the Ayrshire Post. When he read the article he commented, “Because of the revelations about the ambulance service, and the serious nature of this problem, I intend to hold a public meeting on the same night as our AGM. This is a further dilution of public services to the town of Maybole, we can’t live without our ambulance.”
As well as urging local people to attend the meeting he has also written to Mr Mochrie saying, “It is completely deplorable that the people of Maybole have to learn about your cost-cutting plans through the pages of the Ayrshire Post.
“What consultation did you carry out with the local communities affected before making this decision?
“The people of Maybole and the surrounding villages in North Carrick are completely against this cut of services and I can give you an assurance that Maybole Community Council will fight this dangerous proposal which will put lives at risk.
“In Maybole we value our ambulance and the staff who operate it. The ambulance and ambulance service staff based in Maybole save countless lives each year.”
He added, “Maybole Community Council has organised a public meeting in Maybole Town Hall on Monday 12th May at 7.30pm. Also attending this meeting will be representatives from all of the surrounding villages in North Carrick.
“I would like to invite you to come to this meeting to explain the plans of the Scottish Ambulance Service to the public, answer their questions and to address their serious concerns.”
Mr Mason has this message for local residents, “Come to our public meeting on May 12 at 7.30 pm in Maybole Town Hall and have your say.” Press Release from
Cathy Jamieson, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley.
|
