Woman’s two hour wait for an ambulance ‘Spike in demand’blamed

The woman has since made a recovery from the incident and will come to no longterm harm.

Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, has now questioned the level of ambulance cover in the Highland Perthshire area.

The Conservative politician has pressed the Scottish Government and the Scottish Ambulance Service for answers over poor ambulance response times, particularly in rural parts of Perth and Kinross.

He said: “I am very concerned at hearing of this very alarming incident.

“To have to wait more than two hours for an ambulance to attend a seriously ill woman yet again highlights the anxieties of many residents over the level of ambulance cover in Highland Perthshire.

“The Scottish Ambulance Service has stated it was a very busy evening when this lady took ill and they also outlined how they operate a priority-based system of dispatch to try to ensure that emergency ambulances are available to respond to the most serious and life-threatening cases in the first instance.

“However, it doesn’t seem to be working all the time and to hear of incidents where people have to wait up to two hours for an ambulance in Highland Perthshire is clearly very worrying and is of great concern to me.”

He added: “Fortunately the woman came to no long-term harm and made a recovery.

“But it’s obvious that the Scottish Ambulance Service is under pressure and needs more support from the Scottish Government.”