LETTER: 999 response time concerns us all

Residents both need and rightly expect to have full confidence in our emergency services, so reading in last week’s County Times that 999 ambulance response times are so poor in our area rightly concerns us all.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Dec 2013, 08:00 BST
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A swift response in an emergency is apparently attributed to the geography of our district.

That to me is a hollow comment and may well be an argument but is that acceptable as the reason?

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Surely it is reasonable to expect plans by the service on the number and location of ambulances to have long since reflected the challenges of our district and the road network.

The geography has not changed! Services must surely take into account both geography and population and be tailored accordingly.

This issue was first brought to our attention at the district council six weeks ago and in response my colleagues and I felt it necessary to register our strong concern and we have sought meetings with the Horsham and Mid Sussex Clinical Commissioning groups and South East Ambulance group (SEAcamb) in an effort to understand the issues.

We are now working with them to contribute to possible solutions. We have a strong and valuable relationship with local medical commissioning groups and we are pleased to learn that consideration is now being given to alternative models of delivery.

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We will be maintaining this dialogue in an effort to secure the necessary improvements that our residents demand and deserve.

SUE ROGERS

(Con, Steyning) Horsham District Council’s Cabinet Member for a Safer and Healthier District, North Street, Horsham

Related topics:ResidentsHorsham District Council