RIGA, Nov 12 (LETA) - Local governments are concerned that emergency medical services will become more inaccessible to residents, said Harijs Rokpelnis, head of Saeima group of the Union of Greens and Farmers.

According to the Greens/Farmers' spokesperson Dace Karklina, the Greens/Farmers' Saeima group will hold a meeting with Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (New Unity) on Wednesday, November 13, to discuss availability of emergency medical services in the regions.

Rokpelnis notes that MPs have received worrying information from municipalities, especially in border regions, that after cuts in the Emergency Medical Service's (EMS) budget, the number of ambulance crews could be reduced and new hospitalization principles may be introduced next year.

"Local governments are concerned that emergency medical services will become more inaccessible to residents. This is unacceptable and MPs want to discuss with the health minister how to ensure adequate emergency medical care for all residents of Latvia, regardless of where they live," said Rokpelnis.

Next year's the EMS budget will be cut by EUR 1.6 million, and for this and other reasons the service will change its operations, including by reducing the number of ambulances crews during nighttime hours and introducing a new hospitalization principle, said the Greens/Farmers.