16% increase in ambulance turnaround time at north hospitals

16% increase in ambulance turnaround time at north hospitals 

Figures reveal ambulances waiting times outside hospitals across NHS Highland have risen significantly over the last few years promoting calls on the Scottish Government to take further action to free up space and capacity in hospitals.

The data, released by the Scottish Ambulance Service following a freedom of information request by the Scottish Liberal Democrats, reveals it took ambulances a total of 14,544 hours to unload and depart from hospitals last year.

The figure represents a more than 16% increase from 2022 when the total turnaround time was 12,528 hours. Between 2022 and 2024, it has taken ambulances across NHS Highland a total of 40,188 hours to turnaround, the equivalent of more than 4.5 years.

David Green, the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said:

“These delays are deeply troubling. Despite the best efforts of ambulance workers, people are now waiting longer in both pain and fear for the care and treatment they need. 

“To tackle waiting times at pace, the Scottish Government needs to take further steps to support hospital staff who are struggling to find the space to receive new patients. Part of the solution to freeing up that space will be tackling the crisis in social care so more people can access the care they need at home or in the community. 

“That is why the Liberal Democrats are proposing a Carers’ Minimum Wage where social care workers would be paid at least £2 an hour more than the current minimum wage, better valuing their critical work and thereby increasing staff retention.”

The intervention comes after Highland Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Skye and West-Ross-shire, Angus MacDonald, published a report into the crisis in social care in the Highlands and called on the Scottish Government to invest in new care homes across the west coast, helping the region increase bed capacity and tackle chronic staff shortages.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

More on the Highland Care Home Report published by Highland Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Skye and West-Ross-shire, Angus MacDonald, can be found here.

The length of time ambulances had to wait between arriving and departing from hospitals across NHS Highland: