‘Lives At Risk’ As Number Of Ambulances Is Reduced

The number of ambulances covering Highland Perthshire is to be reduced from two to one, it emerged yesterday. The decision sparked claims that lives will be put at risk and treatment will be delayed by the move.

Ken Lyall, an SNP councillor and ambulance technician, said there was huge concern about the changes, which were discussed at a public meeting in Aberfeldy last night. “It’s inevitable there will be delays and a drop in response times,” he said. “It will put lives at risk. If someone has a heart attack, you have a golden hour where you have the best chance of saving them.

“But if the ambulance is more than an hour away, that will lead to delays in treatment being given.” Mr Lyall said the move, due to come into effect within the next two months, would make two ambulance staff “surplus to requirements”. It is understood they will be relocated.

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We are not cutting ambulance services. “We are rearranging shift patterns around the Pitlochry and Aberfeldy area so we have more appropriate cover for times of night to meet shifting demand patterns.”