We write to you with great earnest, regarding the Welsh Ambulance Service’s national roster review which could potentially impinge the number of operational rapid response vehicles in the Monmouthshire vicinity.  It is understood that, under the plans, there could be dire consequences for both the Monmouth and Chepstow ambulance stations, where the fleet of rapid response vehicles would be cut, leaving just one ambulance vehicle each.  

Be under no doubt that should this plan materialise, it would be catastrophic.  Given Monmouthshire is a rural area it is essential there is a sustainable level of rapid response vehicles that can respond effectively over a large area.

Moreover, any cut to the number of existing vehicles would undoubtedly damage the Welsh Ambulance Service’s ability to react in a sufficient time period to an unfolding emergency- for instance, someone who is suffering a stroke - meaning countless lives will be put at risk in this area.

This is an unacceptable scenario that our residents could be subjected to, so understandably the vibrant rural communities of Monmouthshire deem this utterly wrong. 

As a result, we believe that this unfair and abhorrent proposal should not be further considered because there can be no cost associated with life.

Therefore, we urgently call on the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust and the Welsh Government to halt this proposal immediately and instead engage in fruitful dialogue with elected members at Town, Community and County Councils, residents and relevant officers at Monmouthshire County Council to find a viable alternative to what is currently being considered.

We look forward to hearing from you.  

Jamie Treharne, Mat Feakins, Laura Jones, Richard Roden, Jane Lucas, Robert Hatton, Abbie Katsande