Forres Fire Station has housed the local Scottish Ambulance Service since a water issue was discovered at Leanchoil Hospital

The local ambulance team currently based at Forres Fire Station is unlikely to return to its usual base at Leanchoil Hospital - in the near future.

Forres Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) moved its vehicle and two members of staff to Thornhill Place in January when a cold snap resulted in a burst pipe at the Victorian hospital at the top of St Leonard’s Road.

A SAS spokesperson confirmed the lifesavers are still awaiting an update from NHS Grampian on when the water will be turned back on.

She said: “NHS Grampian informed us of the need to switch off water at Leanchoil due to an ongoing issue. We temporarily relocated to Forres Fire Station as a result.

“There is no impact on service delivery and the crew are operating as normal. We are working with NHS Grampian and Scottish Water to resolve the issue.”

An NHS spokesperson confirmed they are in regular dialogue with SAS on the matter.

She added: “The water remains switched off, as isolating and repairing the leak would be very complex and expensive for a site which we are not currently using.”

Scottish Water claimed the water supply issue at Leanchoil is being managed by SAS and their “licensed provider”.

She added: "Scottish Water acts as a wholesaler to licensed providers and does not have a direct relationship with business customers, therefore, the SAS is currently liaising with their licensed provider to address the situation and resolve the matter."

Thankfully, Forres Fire Station has room for the ambulance crew and station commander, Mark Witkowski, welcomes his emergency service partners.

He said: "We work closely with them as we continue to serve our communities. There is no change to our operational delivery."

The SFRS shares facilities with emergency service and community partners across Scotland, extending response capabilities. More than 50 premises are currently jointly occupied or used.