To ask the Scottish Government when the health secretary last met the Scottish Ambulance Service to discuss rural ambulance provision. (S6O-03874)

I met the chair of the Scottish Ambulance Service on 5 June 2024, when rural ambulance provision across Scotland was discussed. In addition, my officials meet Scottish Ambulance Service management regularly to discuss a range of topics, including ambulance provision across the country. We receive weekly performance reports, which are scrutinised and reported on accordingly.

Earlier this month, a family in Torphins had a terrifyingly long wait for an ambulance during a mother’s labour, after a call was answered by someone in Yorkshire who could not locate their rural address. As was reported in the Sunday Post , the father and the grandmother had to be talked through delivering the baby and then had to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the newborn baby for half an hour before the vehicle arrived. Thankfully, both mother and baby are healthy, but this was a completely horrifying experience that no family should have to endure.

In Aberdeenshire, journeys to Aberdeen royal infirmary can take up to two hours—not including the time waiting for an ambulance to arrive. Does the cabinet secretary think that that is acceptable? What support will be provided to ensure that rural communities have an ambulance service that meets their needs?

I am aware of the media reports, and I give my apologies to the family in that case. As a father, I can understand the difficulty that the family would have experienced and the challenge of going through that process. I recognise that and I understand it.

I have recently corresponded with Alexander Burnett on ambulance provision in his area, and I would be more than happy to meet him to discuss the case and ambulance provision in his area in general.

In recent months, I have been approached by a number of constituents who have highlighted examples of what appear to be unnecessary delays in tasking ambulances in Orkney. I am due to meet the chief executive of the Ambulance Service next month to discuss the issue. Will the health secretary support steps to adopt a more tailored approach in island communities to reduce delays in ambulance call-outs wherever possible?

I know from visits to Orkney, the Western Isles and Shetland that work is under way to take the approach that Liam McArthur sets out. Innovative work is being done in island communities, where there must be an adaptation to the demography as well as to the geography that we are dealing with, to ensure that we are resourcing ambulance services as well as primary care and urgent care need. I would be more than happy to discuss that further with Liam McArthur after he has had his discussion with the Ambulance Service.

The Scottish Ambulance Service is a vital component of emergency care throughout the year, but particularly in the colder months. Will the cabinet secretary outline the efforts that the service is making to prepare for this period, including in rural areas?

Clare Haughey is absolutely right. I thank the Ambulance Service for the critical work that it does, alongside giving my thanks to all health and social care staff at this time of year in particular.

The Scottish Ambulance Service will play a critical role in the delivery of various aspects of healthcare throughout winter, with its key focus being on maintaining a fast and effective response to those who need emergency care and support. Ahead of winter, the service’s management team has been engaging with chief executives and chairs of all health boards across Scotland to plan at a more local level, including by developing plans for urgent care in rural and island communities.