QUESTIONS have been raised over the non-emergency transport at Amman Valley Hospital after the Guardian was told around £60,000 worth of cuts had been made to the service.

County councillor Anthony Jones has raised his concerns after worried members of the public approached him, fearing for the future of the service.

The transport, provided by Hywel Dda, is available to non-emergency patients who need help getting to the hospital for an appointment.

Those who use the service are usually people who need chemotherapy, dialysis or other more vulnerable people with physical or other disabilities who are dependent on the transport.

In addition to this, most users live in rural locations.

“My understanding is that the cuts total around £60,000 a year,” said Cllr Jones.

“What I want to know is why the service has just been scrapped for Amman Valley Hospital? What about Prince Philip in Llanelli and Carmarthen’s West Wales General Hospital?

“Once again the rural areas are being targeted.”

A spokeswoman for Hywel Dda said the provider of non-emergency transport at Amman Valley Hospital had changed, but the service was still being provided.

“The new arrangements will be reviewed in the summer,” she added.

Hitting back at the trust’s response, Cllr Jones said, “I understand the service is still being provided by Welsh Ambulance, but the reason the cars were used was to take the strain off the ambulance service.

“This hasn’t stopped the worry amongst members of the public who use the service.

“There are still a lot of unanswered questions.”