Rural Ambulance Provision

Part of General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am ar 31 Hydref 2024.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Alexander Burnett Alexander Burnett Ceidwadwyr

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?