Concern Over Isle Ambulance Cover

The level of ambulance cover on an island is “unacceptable” at present, according to a Highland councillor. Drew Millar claimed that for the whole of the Isle of Skye there was one ambulance with no paramedic in its crew during an eight-hour period last week.

His claim came as figures obtained by the BBC show a large rise in the number of emergency calls to the service. The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) said it would be willing to meet with councillors to discuss their concerns.

Skye area convener Mr Millar, who represents the Portree ward, said: “It is almost unbelievable to find out that Skye was without cover for up to eight hours. It is not acceptable in this day and age.”

Paul Johnston, of the Unison union which represents members of the ambulance service, said the solution to the problem was extra staff.

Last year, John Farquhar Munro, Liberal Democrat MSP for Ross, Skye and Inverness West, expressed concern about changes to when Scotland’s two air ambulance helicopters can be dispatched.

He added: “There’s no doubt lives are going to be lost by a change to all missions having to be authorised by the head of the air ambulance service before the helicopter can take off.”

SAS said it wanted to avoid unnecessary missions for its helicopters based in Glasgow and Inverness. It said patients would continue to receive an “appropriate response”.