‘MUSIC to my ears’ - that is how Blaenau Gwent’s AM describes the massive cash boost to the ailing Welsh Ambulance Service.
Trish Law has long campaigned for more money to improve the ambulance service off the back of countless horror stories of long waits across the borough.
It was revealed last year that Blaenau Gwent had the worst response times, apart from Monmouthshire, in respect of life-threatening emergency calls in South Wales.
It also had the second worst response rate in Wales for Category B emergencies.
Mrs Law has since spoken out about her grave concerns.
She invited health minister Edwina Hart to speak with staff at Aberbeeg Ambulance Station, which she believes had an enormous impact on the minister.
Mrs Law said: “I arranged for Blaenau Gwent ambulance personnel to meet Edwina Hart at the ambulance station in Abertillery in November, to enable them to air their grievances in a full and frank discussion with the minister.
“It was quite evident from that meeting that, despite the very best endeavours of ambulance staff, they were under-resourced and ill-equipped to fulfil their duties to required standards.”
Ms Hart announced last week that the extra money would be used to buy satellite navigation, location systems and mobile data terminals for all emergency ambulances in a bid to cut response times.
She said: “I am determined to improve the performance of the ambulance service.
“I know that staff work extremely hard and are doing their best under constant pressure.”
In a statement, the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust said: “We welcome this investment in technology which will support both control and operational staff in ensuring that the nearest and most appropriate response is sent to any incident.”
Trish Law said she was delighted with the minister’s response to the problems she had encountered after speaking with Ambulance Service staff.
“Recent figures show that response times in Gwent are the worst in Wales, so naturally I am delighted that the minister has responded with this cash injection,” said Mrs Law.
“We are fortunate in having a minister who listens, learns and acts accordingly.
“I have no doubt that this £10 million will go a long way to getting the ambulance service in South East Wales and across the whole of Wales back on track.”
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