Local AM success as Health Minister calls for urgent review of vital rapid response unit.

3.18.00pm GMT Wed 11th Jun 2008

Following calls from Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, to reinstate the vital rapid response unit in Abergavenny ambulance station, the Health Minister has promised an urgent review of ambulance services in the Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent area.

It was revealed this week that the Welsh Ambulance Trust had withdrawn funding for the rapid response unit from the Abergavenny station. Mike German brought the issue to the attention of the Assembly and has since secured an urgent review.

Mike German, South Wales East AM said:

"I am delighted that the Health Minister has listened to my calls for the reinstatement of this vital service to the community.

"The Health Minister was well aware that the ambulance service in the area was failing as just over half of the call-outs reaching those in need arrived within 8 minutes, below the targets set by the Assembly Government.

"The news that the Welsh Ambulance Trust was pulling the service made no sense at all as the service in the area was already below national average.

"I hope that the Health Minister's urgent review will bring about much needed improvements to the ambulance service for the people of Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent.