Ref. 29515-06DELAYS in ambulances getting to Shrivenham could cost lives, claims a local doctor.

Dr John Clements, a GP at the Elm Tree Surgery in Shrivenham High Street, is concerned that a plan devised by Oxfordshire and Wiltshire ambulance services, which would allow the Wiltshire service to cover the village, has still not been introduced.

Once put in place, the scheme will mean quicker reaction times to emergencies.

The closest Oxfordshire station to Shrivenham is Wantage, which is 14 miles away, while Swindon is just five miles down the A420.

Many patients from the area go to Swindon's Great Western Hospital.

Dr Clements said: "Under the Government's rules there are minimum times for ambulances so if someone has chest pains like a heart attack an ambulance should arrive in eight minutes, but generally we say an ambulance should arrive as soon as possible.

"But here in Shrivenham ambulances can take as long as 30 to 40 minutes to get from Witney, Abingdon and Oxford, which is not good if you are trying to deal with an epileptic fit.

"An ambulance from Swindon could get to Shrivenham in eight minutes with a blue light, but this is still not happening."

Residents in the village had been expecting the new scheme to start in January.

Oxfordshire Ambulance Service spokeswoman Helen Robinson said it was ready for the transfer and that they would continue to serve the area as best they could.

"Most patients in the area are covered by Swindon Primary Care Trust so it makes sense for us to hand over provision to Wiltshire Ambulance Trust. As for us; we are ready for the handover but there are still issues with Wiltshire."

A statement from Wiltshire Ambulance Service says: "Wiltshire Ambulance Service can confirm that dialogue is continuing between Swindon PCT and Oxfordshire Ambulance Trust with regard to the emergency and urgent ambulance provision in Shrivenham and the surrounding area."

It says that while the principles have been agreed, the transfer process has yet to be finalised, and no date has been set for a handover of responsibilities.

Points that need still to be worked out include computer software compatibility and taking on staff and extra ambulances.

Ros Hartley, director of primary care and commissioning for Swindon Primary Care Trust said: "We do appreciate the concerns of the people living in Shrivenham and are working closely together with the ambulance trusts to effect the transfer as soon as possible.

"But prior to the transfer taking place a number of operational issues have to be addressed such as recruitment and training of staff and provision of extra vehicles. We hope the transfer will take place in June."

aosborne@newswilts.co.uk