Question reference: S6W-03230
- Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 21 September 2021
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 November 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times an ambulance has been dispatched single-crewed in each year since 2019, broken down by (a) Scottish Ambulance Service division and (b) NHS board area.
Answer
Ambulances are not single-crewed other than in exceptional circumstances, such as short notice unplanned staff absences, and every effort is made to double crew ambulances through rostered and relief staff, overtime or our bank staff. Ambulance Technicians are able to deliver high quality care to patients, but where a paramedic skill set is required, paramedics will be tasked to calls.
Unfortunately as a result of COVID-19 there has been occasions where single crewing has had to be used as a result of late notice staff abstractions, however we are continuing to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service to reduce this where possible.
The following table outlines the number of ambulance that have been dispatched single-crewed in each year since 2019, broken down by (a) Scottish Ambulance Service division and (b) NHS board area, as requested.
Financial Year | Qtr | East | West | North | Scotland |
% Single Crewed Shifts | % Single Crewed Shifts | % Single Crewed Shifts | % Single Crewed Shifts | ||
2019-20 | Q1 | 1.23% | 1.30% | 1.99% | 1.43% |
2019-20 | Q2 | 1.44% | 1.94% | 2.85% | 1.99% |
2019-20 | Q3 | 1.63% | 1.70% | 3.25% | 2.03% |
2019-20 | Q4 | 1.58% | 1.52% | 2.93% | 1.86% |
2020-21 | Q1 | 0.71% | 1.18% | 0.59% | 0.90% |
2020-21 | Q2 | 1.13% | 1.28% | 2.60% | 1.53% |
2020-21 | Q3 | 1.18% | 1.26% | 2.36% | 1.48% |
2020-21 | Q4 | 0.87% | 0.95% | 1.81% | 1.12% |
2021-22 | Q1 | 1.29% | 1.16% | 2.23% | 1.44% |
* 2021-22 Q1 figures are reference to April - June.