Welsh Assembly member Lisa Francis has voiced concern over ambulance services in south-west Wales, claiming there is a funding shortfall.

She claims that despite a recommendation to put £9 million into the service in 2003, a sum of £3.5 million was allocated and there has been no further upgrade since then.

It is reported that ambulance personnel feel that a further £3 million is necessary to ensure the service is on a par with that available across the border in England.

Lisa Francis said: "The sad and disappointing news is that there is no extra funding available for ambulance services within mid and west Wales.

"Response times in rural areas are a cause for concern as published figures for the quarter of March 2005, show that when south-west Wales is taken as a whole, the response for category A calls is 49.9%, 10% short of the national and SaFF target performance of 60%.

Lisa Francis added: "Some ambulance personnel have pointed out that they find it demoralising that the Welsh Assembly funds a new Assembly debating chamber costing £60 million, yet they cannot find £3 million to make the necessary improvements to our front-line life-saving services.

A spokesperson for the Welsh Assembly said: "Since 2002-2003 an extra £3.5 million per year has been invested to improve performance in all areas.

"Looking at different ways of working will bring about improvements to ambulance response times in rural areas.

"A number of initiatives are being developed. Opportunities to develop community paramedic schemes are also being explored.

"Both these options would provide more effective patient care, while greatly reducing the volume of unnecessary journeys to hospital."