CONCERNS have been raised that Forest patients are being forced to wait longer for ambulances because paramedics are stuck in Wales.

A cross border agreement means the nearest available ambulance is sent to 999 emergencies whether it's the Welsh or English side of the Wye Valley.

But while English ambulances answered 186 blue light calls in Wales, the Welsh ambulance service only dealt with 16 over here.

South Western Ambulance Service chiefs are so concerned about the discrepancy they have taken it up with the Welsh NHS.

The figures emerged when South Western Ambulance Service operations manager Neil Le Chevalier addressed Coleford town council's concerns about response times being met by first responders instead of paramedics.

Deputy mayor Paul Kay said: "The problem with ambulances from Gloucestershire going into Wales seems to be the slow turnaround at Welsh hospitals.

"If they are detained for long periods of time, it depletes cover in the Forest.

For the full story, read The Forester.