Jill Evans MEP, who lives in the Rhondda, has asked the Welsh Assembly Government to look for innovative ways of providing long-term support for a Rhondda and Taf Elai cancer support charity.

“I’ve had many requests from local residents to support Community Cancer Care’s hospital transport scheme, which is threatened by the end of Big Lottery funding. As this volunteer service takes so much pressure off the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST) – as well as adding welcome support to vulnerable patients – I’ve asked Ministers to explore the ambulance service entering into a long-term contract with CCS.

“This could be cost-neutral as far as the ambulance budget is concerned because if CCS folds, many of the patients would call for ambulances. As we all know, the WAST is going through a difficult time at the moment so I would have thought they would welcome the extra help. But for the patients, the support of the CCS volunteers would add a great deal of value.

“This should be a win-win solution for all concerned. I’ve asked Ministers to arrange a meeting between Community Cancer Care and the ambulance trust to explore this idea. The government says it wants to engage more volunteers in public service. This is a practical way of saving an existing and much-appreciated lifeline”.

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