SCOTTISH AMBULANCE SERVICE UNITS were involved in 334 collisions in 2008, with 67 of them occurring during emergency responses. Patient transporters, designed for non-emergency transport of infirm patients to medical facilities, accounted for nearly one-third of the accidents.
However, one member of the Scottish Parliament is blaming the accident rate on pressures placed on the service to meet designated response-time averages. The Daily Record reports:
Scottish Tory health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon blamed time targets for the number of accidents.
She said: “The target of reaching 75 per cent of 999 calls in eight minutes was achieved last year but it puts tremendous pressure on drivers.”
The Highlands and Islands MSP added: “More emphasis should be placed on the treatment given to the patient, rather than simply counting the minutes.
“Obviously, the time taken is important but it is only one of several elements.”
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