SIR, I read with interest the article written by Ally McGilvray, dad fears delays are putting lives at risk - Peeblesshire News, April 24.

I cannot speak for the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) but, as a parent, I can understand the distress and feelings of anger of the family involved when the ambulance is delayed.

Within the context of locally based ambulances attending other emergencies, the article concludes with the statement that “if it had been somebody who had suffered a heart attack there is no way they are going to get there in time”.

I would like to point out that in the Peeblesshire area there are a number of First Responder groups comprising of SAS trained and equipped volunteers who are available to attend emergency situations such as a cardiac arrest.

I am such a volunteer and, along with my colleagues, have been able to attend a number of emergencies in my own community.

As everybody knows, speed of response is of the essence in saving lives. Over the last year, volunteers from the Innerleithen and Walkerburn group have attended, on average, one incident per week.

On each occasion, the volunteer by virtue of living locally has been at the scene equipped with oxygen and a defibrillator in advance of the ambulance.

This rapid response provides a degree of reassurance and comfort to the patient and family until the ambulance arrives and, most importantly, can save lives. This service becomes of critical importance in the event of the Peebles crew being out on another call.

I am, etc.

Peter Clarke Innerleithen SIR, I read with interest the article written by Ally McGilvray, dad fears delays are putting lives at risk - Peeblesshire News, April 24.

I cannot speak for the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) but, as a parent, I can understand the distress and feelings of anger of the family involved when the ambulance is delayed.

Within the context of locally based ambulances attending other emergencies, the article concludes with the statement that “if it had been somebody who had suffered a heart attack there is no way they are going to get there in time”.

I would like to point out that in the Peeblesshire area there are a number of First Responder groups comprising of SAS trained and equipped volunteers who are available to attend emergency situations such as a cardiac arrest.

I am such a volunteer and, along with my colleagues, have been able to attend a number of emergencies in my own community.

As everybody knows, speed of response is of the essence in saving lives. Over the last year, volunteers from the Innerleithen and Walkerburn group have attended, on average, one incident per week.

On each occasion, the volunteer by virtue of living locally has been at the scene equipped with oxygen and a defibrillator in advance of the ambulance.

This rapid response provides a degree of reassurance and comfort to the patient and family until the ambulance arrives and, most importantly, can save lives. This service becomes of critical importance in the event of the Peebles crew being out on another call.

I am, etc.

Peter Clarke Innerleithen