Jackie Baillie MSP has attacked changes to ambulance services which are impacting the Vale of Leven deport as ‘dangerous and wrongheaded’.
But the Scottish Ambulance Service has hit back, saying reports of cuts in the area are ‘completely inaccurate’.
The Dumbarton constituency MSP said soaring ambulance turnaround times recently had particularly affected Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH).
She said ambulance staffing rotas had been changed and whole crews removed so that there were fewer ambulances available at key times – with ambulance turnaround times peaking at 10 hours and 43 minutes at the RAH.
“These planned cuts are dangerous and wrongheaded and must be stopped now,” said Ms Baillie.
“Ambulance services are in disarray and ambulance staff have been faced with soaring workloads.
“To cut services at this time is potentially deadly and will leave several communities, including those within my own Dumbarton constituency, without the support they need.”
But an ambulance service spokesperson responded: “”Reports suggesting that there are to be cuts in services are completely inaccurate.
“There are no cuts in staffing in the West and in Prestonpans.
“These areas are actually getting additional investment and increased ambulance A&E services through our ongoing Demand and Capacity programme.
“Any proposed changes around shift rosters are to ensure that we increase ambulance availability at identified times where demand is highest, to reduce delays to patients and to minimise staff fatigue.”
Leave a Reply