Health campaigner Mathew Davies has written to the Health Minister Lesley Griffiths expressing his disappointment that she will not visit Monmouth.

Nick Ramsay AM and Mr Davies invited the Minister to Monmouth ambulance station, which is currently set to be mothballed and replaced with portable cabins.

Last month Mr Davies, Mr Ramsay and Councillor Sue White met with paramedics to discuss ambulance provision and the long-awaited cabins.

The paramedics had waited two-and-a-half years for them to arrive. During that time the boiler had broken down, asbestos was in the ceilings and drains were leaking.

Mr Davies said: "Firstly, I believe it is a disgrace that the ambulance station has been left to deteriorate to the degree it has. It is a potential health hazard.

"Secondly, it is an insult to the public servants who have a vital and hard job. Surely they deserve better than this.'

The repairs to the ambulance station were not deemed cost effective and therefore an alternative site was sought. There was speculation that the ambulance station would be moved into the building next door or the service could be based at the police station. Both options fell through.

Mr Davies has sent pictures of the ambulance station to the Minister with an open invitation to visit Monmouth.

He added: "There are serious lessons to be learnt from this experience.

"For example, how much power and leverage should private providers in the delivery of resources to this important part of the public sector have?'

The portable cabins will soon be operational.