Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 31 October 2024
31 Oct 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
General Question Time
Rural Ambulance Provision
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.
In the same item of business
6. Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Con)
Con
To ask the Scottish Government when the health secretary last met the Scottish Ambulance Service to discuss rural ambulance provision. (S6O-03874)
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray)
SNP
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 mee...
Alexander Burnett
Con
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 York...
Neil Gray
SNP
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 ...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
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 ambulan...
Neil Gray
SNP
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 bein...
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP)
SNP
The Scottish Ambulance Service is a vital component of emergency care throughout the year, but particularly in the colder months. Will the cabinet secretary ...
Neil Gray
SNP
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...