Jamie Buchan
Health chiefs have pledged to take action to improve ambulance response times in two Buchan towns.
A recent study revealed that paramedics took longer than 20 minutes to respond to more than 1,000 life-threatening incidents across the north and north-east in the last year.
It emerged that Peterhead and Fraserburgh were the worst affected places in the country, with Scottish Ambulance Service crews there taking more than double their target time of eight minutes on 83 call-outs.
Local politicians called for an urgent inquiry to get to the root of the problem, particularly as both ports have their own ambulance depots.
Last night, Banff and Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford and Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, said ambulance service bosses had assured them steps had already been taken to address shortcomings.
An additional driver will be recruited at Peterhead and shift patterns are being adjusted to extend coverage, which should relieve pressure on neighbouring stations.
The ambulance service is also carrying out a detailed review of demands on mercy crews to assess whether extra resources may be needed.
Mrs Whiteford said last night: “Having studied the performance statistics and met various constituents and community representatives over recent weeks, I very much share the concerns that have been expressed.
“We all very much value the work done by our hard working ambulance crews, in what can be extremely demanding circumstances.
“I am therefore absolutely committed to ensuring that they have the support and resources required to provide the quality of service which patients have the right to expect.”
Mr Stevenson said that the growth in population in north Aberdeenshire created challenges for the ambulance service, with a 3% year-on-year increase in demand for paramedics.
He said: “We need to get this right, and I welcome the commitment we received from the Scottish Ambulance Service for a full review of the demand profile.
“I also welcome the steps which they are already taking to increase provision in the area.”
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said staff delivered the highest standards of patient care, often in “extremely challenging situations”.
He added: “All 999 responses are monitored by control room staff and if there is a delay paramedic advisers will review the call and provide additional clinical support.”