The Scottish Ambulance service are making an appeal to the Scottish Government, after plans for a new ambulance station at the Borders General Hospital were rejected.
The ambulance service want to replace the old depot in Galashiels with a new facility near the hospital in Melrose.
However, councillors rejected the plans due to 'landscaping' concerns, as they were worried the possible felling of trees would affect the scenic landscape of the Eildon hills.
Campaigners say that the new site would improve ambulance response times, which are below the current government target.
Emergency crews respond to more than 6000 calls in two days
In one of the busiest times of the year for emergency services the North West Ambulance Service had a busy festive period. The most common call outs were: breathing problems (788), Falls (624) and chest pains (483). Director of Operations, Derek Cartwright said:
“We always see an increase in emergency calls at this time of year but this year has been exceptional. I would like to take this opportunity to thank NWAS staff for all their hard work in caring for the population of the North West.
“As we approach New Year, it is important that people remember 999 is for serious and life-threatening emergencies. Please help us to help the most vulnerable people, by keeping ambulances free to deal with genuine emergencies.”
Alcohol related incidents are on the rise Credit: ITV Border
Ambulance services in Southern Scotland attend hundreds of alcohol related incidents each year. In the last three years figures have been up to 425 incidents in Dumfries and Galloway. In the Borders, over the last three years, there's been more than 220 incidents a year.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Jackson Carlaw MSP said:
"Ambulance workers face a tough enough job without alcohol being thrown in the mix as such an unnecessary ingredient.
"This poses huge challenges not only from a health point of view, but also a law and order one.
"Whether it is someone who has consumed too much meaning their stomach has to be pumped, or a violent clash ignited by a drinking binge, these are all avoidable incidents.
"We need get a handle on alcohol-related disorder, because people will look at these worsening statistics and not accept that crime is at its lowest in three decades.
"And given paramedics only record alcohol as a factor if they have time and if it is an overwhelming factor, the true picture is surely far graver than this.
"Hopefully when alcohol minimum pricing is brought in we can see a change in these kinds of statistics."
