OUR emergency services are having to make some tough decisions.

Cuts rained down from above are forcing police, ambulance and fire crews to cram their hands down the back of the sofa to find the extra money that will keep them providing their lifesaving services.

But it is not easy. Gloucestershire police have already shaved 20 per cent off their budgets and have been asked to find another £13million in savings.

The Standard recently reported that Cirencester Hospital would no longer be staffing its minor injuries unit with doctors, but would instead be using qualified nurses. They hope the move will save £360,000.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has put a document out to consultation which aims to make savings of £2million over the next three years, so now is the time to speak up. It is, like all matters concerning our welfare, a difficult issue.

Fires are less common these days. In fact, Gloucestershire fire crews have seen a 63 per cent drop in fire call outs over the last 10 years, largely due to a switch in emphasis to concentrate on preventing fires.

Maintaining full-time crews is expensive and retained firefighters do excellent work.

One thing is certain, if emergency services bosses had their way, they would not be making any cuts.

But they do not choose their budgets and tough decisions must be made.