Plaid MEP Jill Evans has today held a meeting with Welsh Ambulance Chief executive Alan Murray to discuss cuts to ambulance cover in the Rhondda. The meeting was requested by Murray following concerns Jill Evans expressed after approaches from a number of constituents. The meeting at the trust's St Asaph headquarters was also attended by Leanne Wood, AM for Wales South East.

Jill Evans said:

"I was very pleased that we were able to arrange this meeting at short notice and to have detailed discussions about future plans for the ambulance service.

"Naturally, Alan Murray is delighted that many targets set by the government were being met, but it is clear that public perception is very different. When members of the public hear that target times are being met, they think in terms of an ambulance arriving, but the performance targets refer to the arrival of a resuscitation team.

"I believe it would be difficult to disagree with many of the long term aims which Mr Murray highlighted, but in the meantime areas such as the Rhondda are facing cuts, whether the trust likes the word or not. Unfortunately there are times when ambulances are being called to non urgent cases because people are having wait for weeks sometimes to see a GP and see this as the only alternative. There must be more notice taken of circumstances in different localities.

"Alan Murray has agreed to provide detailed information about the Rhondda in comparison to neighbouring valleys and this will be very helpful. However, I am disappointed that he is not hold in abeyance the Rhondda ambulance service cuts in the meantime.

"Once these figures have been provided, Leanne Wood and I will meet Mr Murray again."