Scottish Ambulance Service stretched to 'critical'
The Scottish Ambulance Service has moved to "critical" mode, as the appalling weather put the service across the country under extreme pressure.
- By Marjory Inglis, health reporter
- Published in the Courier : 07.12.10
- Published online : 07.12.10 @ 04.23pm
The service moved to level five on a six-point scale, one level away from "potential service failure."
A spokesman said that the situation was being reviewed hour-to-hour and the scale would change as conditions improved.
The situation has led to the cancellation of ambulance transport to non-urgent hospital clinics and appointments in Tayside.
On Monday a Ninewells Hospital accident and emergency specialist appealed to people not to call an ambulance unless absolutely necessary.
"People really need to think twice as to whether to call 999," Dr Mike Donald said.
In the central belt the army was drafted in to drive ambulance staff to patients in military 4x4 vehicles.
Service chief executive Pauline Howie said, "We would like to reassure the public that we continue to make every effort to get to patients as quickly and safely as possible in some of the most horrendous conditions our crews have ever experienced.
"Full contingency measures are in operation across the country, which include the provision of 4x4 vehicles and support from mountain rescue services, the Red Cross, coastguard and others."
'Take extra care'
She added, "Conditions across central Scotland are particularly challenging and while the extreme conditions persist people should only call 999 for an ambulance if it is a genuine emergency.
"Anyone with lesser conditions that can't wait to be seen by their GP should contact NHS 24 on 08454 242424.
"We would urge people to stay inside and keep warm and take extra care if they have to go out."
The Patient Transport Service, which takes patients to hospital clinics, is reduced in many areas, except for high priority groups such as renal and cancer patients.
Clinics and routine appointments have been resumed and are expected to be operating normally. All patients able to make alternative transport arrangements should attend as normal.
All non-urgent ambulance transport to hospital clinics and appointments in Tayside has been cancelled for Tuesday.
A spokeswoman said, "In these circumstances to bring non-urgent people into day services is possibly not the best use of their time."
With the ambulance service stretched, special arrangements have been made to prioritise transfers out of the hospital, getting patients ready to leave back home and freeing up beds for those in more urgent need.
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