MSP seeks ministerial meeting over air ambulance changes

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has asked for a meeting with the health minister to discuss the implications for Orkney of the recently announced Perth-based charity air ambulance.

According to Mr McArthur, many of problems experienced over recent years relate the large geographical area the existing Inverness-based helicopter covers.

He said: “If the addition of this Perth-based helicopter reduces the area the Inverness service has to cover, thereby reducing response times for patients in Orkney, this could prove a very useful addition.

“There are still many questions that remain, however, about how this new service will operate and how it will interact with what is already provided. I have therefore asked the heath secretary, Alex Neil for a meeting to discuss the details and how he will ensure that this new addition will benefit communities in Orkney.  I will also be pursuing this with Scottish Ambulance Service directly.

“I still believe that a locally-based back-up option is necessary, but am keen to ensure that patients in Orkney derive as much benefit as possible from this new initiative.”