MSP calls for clarity on alcohol-related emergencies

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has called for further information on alcohol-related emergency incidents in the Northern Isles.

According to the Scottish Conservative MSP, a Freedom of Information Request from his party in relation to alcohol-related emergencies attended by ambulance crews has shown a disparity between Shetland and Orkney over recent years.

The figures show that crews in Shetland attended 54 alcohol-related incidents in 2015, though this dropped down to 25 in 2017. However, this was over six times higher than the incidents in Orkney, where crews only recorded four incidents in relation to alcohol in 2017.

This has led the MSP to call for further information on why there is such a difference between the Northern Isles.

Commenting Mr Halcro Johnston said: “While it is good news that the number of alcohol-related emergencies in Shetland is coming down, I am concerned that the differences in the figures between the Northern Isles are so stark.

“With figures in Shetland over six times higher than in Orkney, I will be questioning the Scottish Government on why these differences are occurring as I am concerned that the level of alcohol-related incidents risks taking crews away from other more serious incidents on the isles.

“It is also imperative that the SNP Government ensures that our ambulance crews in the Northern Isles are sufficiently resourced, not only to deal with alcohol-related emergencies but incidents all year round.”