MSPs consider ambulance demands

More than 5,000 people signed the petition

Highland Perthshire residents have taken their battle to maintain ambulance provision in the region to the Scottish Parliament.

Community council representatives have been in front of the petitions committee discussing their submission, signed by more than 5,000 people.

It demanded that the level of service is monitored and proper consultation is undertaken before any changes are made.

The MSPs said they had to gather more information before making any decision.

John Grant raised the petition after the ambulance service in Pitlochry was downgraded.

'Widespread dissatisfaction'

Many local residents felt they had not been properly asked for their opinions beforehand.

Mr Grant told the committee: "The petition before you today reflects a widespread dissatisfaction with the consultative methods employed by the Scottish Ambulance Service and a real fear that the provision of ambulance services is being severely compromised by a drive for efficiencies based on reaction to call times, rather than the desperate need of rural communities throughout Scotland.

"The economy of Highland Perthshire depends on tourism, as does much of rural Scotland.

"Our population of around 10,000 in an area of 300,000 hectares is increased by 2,000 time-share visitors per week and another 100,000 plus tourists annually.

"The notorious A9 runs throughout Perthshire. Our percentage of pensioners is 10% above the national average. Yet the Scottish Ambulance Service insists that no account need to be taken of these factors."

The MSPs told the petitioners that they would ask for information from groups such as NHS 24, NHS Tayside, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Ambulance Service before deciding if they will take the petition any further.