I am writing in response to the announcement that MP?Sarah Wollaston is to hold a meeting with the chief executive of South Western Ambulance Service Trust to discuss changes to the local ambulance provision. Her intention is for SWAST to respond to members of the public about the recent changes to ambulance provision in the South Hams.

SWAST is under increased pressure, along with the other emergency services to provide 24/7 cover on a shoestring budget. The cuts are not due to a lack of staffing or lack of people to fill the roles, they are caused by this current government and it’s savage cuts to all public services. The lifting of the one per cent pay cap would have been “expensive” but would have proved that we value our public service workers.

This issue has only been raised since the serious road accident near Kingsbridge where nursing staff from South Hams Hospital volunteered to leave their post at the hospital to provide vital emergency first aid, as there was no ambulance to send to the casualty.

We all knew that cuts would have consequences and now they are starting to show. Why did Sarah Wollaston do nothing to prevent these savage cuts?

Does she not realise that our services are affected solely by reduced funding from central government? Come on Dr Wollaston, the recent general election result gave you the voice of the South Hams – please use it to benefit the residents of the towns and villages who have put their (misguided) faith in you.

Gerrie Messer

Courtlage Walk

Kingsbridge