Councillors to get diagnosis of ambulance service review

Sep 8 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

COUNCILLORS are to be briefed on how an ambulance service review will affect Perth City.

It follows concerns over the level of cover, raised by Councillor Alexander Stewart, leader of the Conservative Group on Perth and Kinross Council.

The representative for Perth City South is to write to the Area Service Manager of the Scottish Ambulance Service on the matter.

Councillor Stewart said: “I am aware that there is some controversy regarding the ambulance cover in Highland Perthshire.

“I am concerned that there may be a review taking place, the outcome of which may have a significant impact on service delivery across Perth and Kinross but, in particular, Perth City.

“For that reason, I will be writing to the Scottish Ambulance Service to seek clarity on this situation and establish any intentions they may have to change the status quo.

Councillor Stewart said he had now received telephone confirmation from the Ambulance Service that all councillors and MSPs will be written to in the coming week, inviting them to a presentation on how the review will affect the services for Perth City.

He added: “If the Ambulance Service is preparing such a presentation, then there may be some changes afoot, as I originally feared.

“It is my hope that this presentation will show us an enhancement in the services provided by the Ambulance Service but there may well be erosion which could have a detrimental impact on the residents of the Fair City.

“I can assure everyone I will attend this presentation and challenge any possible changes that disadvantage Perth City.”