KENT MP HUGH Robertson has written to Health Secretary Alan Milburn opposing "in the very strongest terms" proposals to merge the Kent Ambulance Service with Sussex Ambulance Service. The Conservative MP for Faversham and Mid Kent says he believes the proposed reorganisation is "deeply flawed."

The merger of the Kent and Sussex ambulance services is the preferred option of the NHS Executive following a review of ambulance Trusts and services in the south east. But Mr Roberston has told Mr Milburn that he objects to the proposal for the Kent Ambulance NHS Trust on the following grounds:

* The ambulance service should operate to the same boundaries as the other emergency services and the new NHS Trust.

* The closure of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital accident and emergency department will highlight the need for a localised ambulance service. Reducing the number of Trusts in the south east from seven to three will be seen as taking the service further away from the public.

* The cost of reorganisation could be better spent on developing and improving existing ambulance services.

In his letter, Mr Robertson said he understodd his opposition was shared by 28 of the 33 who responded to the public consultation and that both health authorities, all the community health councils and all MPs, of both parties, were opposed to any change. He added: "The events of September 11 must also now be taken into consideration. In due course we will have to review our plans to ensure that we co-ordinated disaster recovery plan across all the emergency services.

"In this environment, reorganising the ambulance service on a different geographical basis to the police, fire service and the NHS would be an even greater folly. Please take these genuine concerns, shared by the vast majority of influential consultees into consideration, when making your decision."

Mr Milburn is due to decide whether the proposed change should go ahead after receiving a recommendation from the NHS Executive, once it has analysed responses from the public consultation.