Local Lib Dems seek assurances on Ellon Ambulance Service

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 17th Sep 2007

Local Councillor Isobel Davidson has written to the Scottish Ambulance Service to seek assurance that the Ambulance based in Ellon will be retained. She understands that the service has undergone a review with the possibility of the Ellon service being moved to Peterhead.

Currently the Ellon ambulance covers a huge area stretching from Oldmeldrum to the coast including Udny, Balmedie and Collieston. Isobel Davidson said 'much of this area is rural and the Paramedics local knowledge is vital when trying to reach people in emergencies.'

This would result in no ambulance cover between Aberdeen and Peterhead. Local people campaigned long and hard together with the Community Council, Malcolm Bruce MP and Ellon stalwart Sybil Fowler to attract the service in the early 1990s.

North East Scotland MSP Alison McInnes said 'loss of the ambulance service in Ellon would be of great concern to local people - I was a member of the Community Council when we campaigned for this and I know how much it has been appreciated since then. Ellon suffered a loss of service when the GP out-of-hours service was moved and I think it would be unacceptable to see any further erosion of emergency services. I will be seeking a meeting with the Ambulance Service as a matter of urgency.'