James Evans MS for Brecon & Radnorshire has warned that rural communities are being left dangerously exposed by long ambulance waits and a lack of local emergency cover, telling the Welsh Government that many of his constituents “feel abandoned”.
Raising the issue in the Senedd, James highlighted reports of Powys residents waiting hours for an ambulance, ambulances regularly being deployed to other parts of Wales leaving Powys uncovered, and stroke patients facing journeys of over 90 minutes to hospital as specialist services move further away. James also raised the loss of the Wales Air Ambulance base serving Mid Wales, saying the situation has added even more pressure to already-stretched emergency services.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles MS, responded by referring to recent improvements in response time averages in Powys, but stopped short of committing to specific rural emergency cover measures.
James Evans MS said:
“Too many people in rural Wales feel abandoned when they dial 999. I have heard stories from some of my constituents who have been left lying on the floor for hours waiting for help and in some cases, there are no ambulances left in Powys at all. this is simply unacceptable.
“Stroke patients in Brecon & Radnorshire are facing journeys of over an hour and a half as services move further away to places like Llantrisant and Worcester. Every minute counts in a stroke, and people living in rural Wales deserve the same chance of survival as those in our cities.
“We have lost our air ambulance coverage and watched emergency services centralise further and further away. Warm words about national averages don’t help the person waiting in agony in Builth, Crickhowell, Knighton or Ystradgynlais while no ambulance is available. The Welsh Government must urgently guarantee proper ambulance cover for rural communities. When someone calls for help, help must actually be on the way, no matter where they live!”
