THE lives of people in Gloucestershire could be at risk when ambulance services in the region are merged, a civic leader warned this week.

The county council's Conservative group leader has revealed his serious concerns for the future of Gloucestershire's ambulance service following claims that the amalgamation of Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire ambulance trusts will put the NHS severely in the red.

Tory leader Cllr Barry Dare (Moreton-in-Marsh) said a financial black hole could be on the cards when Gloucestershire Ambulance Trust is merged. He was speaking following claims made last week by the chairman of neighbouring service Avon Ambulance Trust.

Louis Victory, who had hoped to become chief executive of the new Great Western Ambulance Trust which is officially launched tomorrow, said he had quit from the post and was now ashamed of the new trust.

Mr Victory claimed the amalgamation process has been rushed and will leave the region in considerable debt. However, the NHS Appointments Commission said Mr Victory had never been offered the position of chief executive. The Strategic Health Authority said it was disappointed Mr Victory had made such comments.

Cllr Dare is now so worried for the future of ambulance services he has asked Gloucestershire County Council's NHS scrutiny committee to investigate the situation.

He said: "This is serious and worrying news. Conservatives were opposed to the idea of merging our ambulance service in the first place. Now it looks like it may be a botched job.

"If this is being rushed and if this financial black hole exists, it must have an impact on our ambulance service."

He added: "If our ambulance service is undermined, lives in Gloucestershire could be put at risk."

Cllr Dare is concerned that the financial scare is part of the wider problems throughout the NHS. In January he told fellow county councillors of his concerns for the new trust.

Tim Lynch, currently chief executive of Cumbria Ambulance trust, has been named as the new trust's first chief executive.