Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is aware of the potential hazard caused to people in Highcliffe, Dorset, and New Milton, Hampshire, through the placing of the new county boundary in the midst of this area, and the consequent restriction of movement across the county boundary of emergency services; and if she will take steps to ensure that emergency calls from one side of the county boundary can be serviced by appliances stationed the other side, if they be geographically the nearest.
§ Dr. OwenI understand that by agreement between the Hampshire and Dorset area health authorities, which assumed responsibility for ambulance services on 1st April, the Dorset Area Health Authority is dealing with emergency calls from Highcliffe and the New Milton area of Hampshire and has increased the cover formerly provided by the Christchurch ambulance station. Additional support is available as necessary from the Hampshire authority's station at Lymington. The Wessex RHA is confident that these arrangements will improve emergency cover in both areas. If the hon. Member has any specific difficulties in mind perhaps he will write to me.