Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD WELCOMES INCREASED AMBULANCE COVER FOR MORAY

NEW POSTS SUBSTANTIAL VICTORY FOR  CAMPAIGN

Richard Lochhead MSP has welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Ambulance Service that eight new ambulance staff are set to be recruited to serve patients across Moray.

Mr Lochhead has been working alongside local staff to campaign for additional ambulance resources for Moray, holding regular meetings with the Scottish Ambulance Service management and raising the issue in the Scottish Parliament and at meetings with Ministers. 

Mr Lochhead also chaired a meeting between local staff and the Health Secretary in Elgin at the end of last year to discuss the need for an increase in services in Moray.

Commenting, Moray’s SNP MSP said:

“I warmly welcome what is a very significant boost to ambulance resources in Moray.

“Moray’s ambulance crews have been under significant pressure over the last few years due to an increase in demand for services and more hospital transfers having to be carried out between Dr Gray’s and ARI that have reduced cover locally.   

“Over recent years, I’ve been regularly meeting SAS management and raising this campaign at the highest levels of government to support the local ambulance staff I’ve been working closely with, so I’m delighted that our efforts have paid off. 

“At the end of last year I arranged a meeting between local staff and the Health Secretary where the staff made a very powerful case for additional resources in Moray, which I have no doubt has helped us get to where we are now.

“These additional posts, alongside the end to call working at Dufftown and additional paramedics have the potential to really transform the service in Moray and will help deliver the best possible care for patients. 

“Our local ambulance staff deserve a huge amount of credit for the work they’ve put in to making the case for increased resources, their sustained efforts and determination have been central to improvements being delivered.”