Concerns raised in Holyrood over north-east ambulance provision
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A north-east MSP has highlighted “significant issues” with rural ambulance provision after it emerged an Aberdeenshire community may have to fundraise for their own vehicle.
At Holyrood today, MSP Alexander Burnett notified finance secretary Kate Forbes of “major” funding problems for rural cover since Braemar was stripped of its own emergency medical service in 2007.
It follows the Scottish Ambulance Service’s intention to “update community representatives of the cost of purchasing a VW 4x4 Caravelle ambulance that could be used to replace the existing co-responder van.”
In correspondence with local politicians and residents last week, SAS chief executive Pauline Howie wrote that “the local community are keen to fundraise for this.”
Aberdeenshire West MSP Mr Burnett told MSPs a lack of local cover has had tragic consequences, with the death of Mrs Pamela Anderson still being reviewed by ambulance chiefs.
Since 2007, ambulance cover has been provided by stations in Ballater, Tomintoul, Alford and Banchory. There is also a “co-responder” unit staffed by Scottish Fire and Rescue personnel and a Braemar Community First Responders Initiative, started up by Doug Anderson.
His wife Pamela suffered a heart attack on September 24, 2020, at her Braemar home, and died during ambulance transport, having waited 40 minutes for a crew from Tomintoul.
In Holyrood the MSP criticised health secretary Humza Yousaf for BBC radio comments this morning, that “people should think before calling 999”.
Mr Burnett said: “In my constituency of Aberdeenshire West, Braemar has had significant issues with ambulance services which have had tragic consequences.
“I have been in contact with the Scottish Ambulance Service and Braemar Community Council but a major issue is funding.
“They are looking at the cost of purchasing a 4x4 Caravelle ambulance to replace the existing co-responder van.
“Has it come to this, that communities are now so abandoned by the Scottish Government they must now fundraise for their own emergency medical provision?
“Or does the Cabinet Secretary endorse Humza Yousaf's view that people in rural areas should think twice before calling 999?”
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said: "I will always represent people in rural areas, and I obviously as I've just said represent some of the most remote and rural areas in the country.
"Now, the points that Alexander Burnett have raised won't all be solved through funding, I've already outlined the funding position obviously coming up to next year's budget, I will be in discussions with the Cabinet Secretary on health and spend and certainly we've seen the ambulance service's budget rise in real terms, by 17.7 per cent between 2011 and 2021.
"However, in light of the very serious issues he raises, I'm sure that if he were to raise that with the Health Secretary, then the Health Secretary will look into the specifics and I'd be happy to pass on a note, as a result of this exchange."
