Nicola Sturgeon's Covid-19 update RECAP: First Minister set to address Scottish Parliament | Health Secretary Humza Yousaf preparing statement on Scotland's ambulance crisis
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Keep up-to-date with developments as the First Minister and Health Secretary deliver statements to MSPs.
Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf RECAP: Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Key Events
- FM to update MSPs on Covid-19 pandemic
- Yousaf preparing response to ambulance crisis
- A&E waiting times worst on record for fifth time in six weeks
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf says that this will undoubtedly be the most challenging autumn and winter that our health and social care services have ever faced and that the health of the staff is of “paramount importance.”
HS says taxis will not be used in critical emergencies.
HS: “Let me be absolutely clear, if you are in critical or life threatening need, you will be taken to hospital in an ambulance if one is requested,”
Health Secretary says that he is in urgent discussions with local authorities and social care providers on how to free up bed capacity.
Mr Yousaf says that with the ambulance services being elevated to its highest level, level four, other clinical staff have already been drafted into the front line.
He added that they are working with appropriate bodies to think about a “call to arms to those retired staff who responded so well at the beginning of the pandemic to see if they can come back and help us with what will be the most challenging winter for the NHS.”
The final details are being discussed between the military and the ambulance service says Mr Yousaf but that it can be expected the military personal will be placed in the areas under the most pressure this weekend.
Mr Yousaf says that we are still in the midst of a global pandemic and that to suggest that has not impacted this crisis in the Scottish Ambulance Service is not doing anyone “any favours.”
He added that he does not have a crystal ball to see the future but that the government is “taking action”.
Mr Yousaf has said that while he is focused on the Scottish Ambulance Service, they must take a whole system approach.