TIME TO OFFER INDEPENDENT AMBULANCE GUARANTEES.
SNP MSP Sandra White has welcomed indications from the Scottish Government that it is considering the regulation of independent ambulances.
Independent or Private Ambulances are used to provide services such as patient transport and ambulance cover at major events and festivals.
A consultation by the previous Scottish Executive in 2006 received unanimous calls for private ambulances to be regulated by the Care Commission but no action was taken.
Following a letter from Ms White the Minister for Public Health Shona Robison has said the Government will look at regulating private ambulances as part of a wider review of regulation in Scotland.
Commenting on the previous consultation Ms Robison said;
"The unanimous view of the respondees was that independent ambulances should be regulated by the Care Commission.
"The Scottish Government Legal Department have advised that any regulation by the Care Commission would require primary legislation. The Scottish Government is considering a range of options following the proposals made in the Crerar Review and the regulation of independent ambulances will be looked at alongside other legislative amendments emerging from the review."
Ms White, MSP for Glasgow said;
"Independent ambulances offer a valuable service but it is important that they and those working in them are subject to the same regulation as other care services.
"Independent Ambulances should be added to the list of care services regulated by the Care Commission.
"After the previous administration failed to take the necessary action I am pleased to hear the Scottish Government is now considering bringing independent ambulances under the Care Commission's watchful eye.
"Those working in private ambulances must be trained for all eventualities and public must be able to have confidence in the staff and services.
"Whether providing cover at big events such as music festivals or offering patients transport to and from hospital the highest standards must apply.
"At present independent services are regulated by their contracts with individual NHS boards or the organisations contracting them. That is not sufficient for such a valuable service used largely by people in a vulnerable position.
"Encouragingly those operating independent ambulances want the industry regulated to prevent patients being put at risk from unscrupulous operators.
"I welcome the Scottish Government's intention to look at regulation and hope we will see private ambulances covered by the Care Commission in the near future."
SNP MSP Sandra White has welcomed indications from the Scottish Government that it is considering the regulation of independent ambulances.
Independent or Private Ambulances are used to provide services such as patient transport and ambulance cover at major events and festivals.
A consultation by the previous Scottish Executive in 2006 received unanimous calls for private ambulances to be regulated by the Care Commission but no action was taken.
Following a letter from Ms White the Minister for Public Health Shona Robison has said the Government will look at regulating private ambulances as part of a wider review of regulation in Scotland.
Commenting on the previous consultation Ms Robison said;
"The unanimous view of the respondees was that independent ambulances should be regulated by the Care Commission.
"The Scottish Government Legal Department have advised that any regulation by the Care Commission would require primary legislation. The Scottish Government is considering a range of options following the proposals made in the Crerar Review and the regulation of independent ambulances will be looked at alongside other legislative amendments emerging from the review."
Ms White, MSP for Glasgow said;
"Independent ambulances offer a valuable service but it is important that they and those working in them are subject to the same regulation as other care services.
"Independent Ambulances should be added to the list of care services regulated by the Care Commission.
"After the previous administration failed to take the necessary action I am pleased to hear the Scottish Government is now considering bringing independent ambulances under the Care Commission's watchful eye.
"Those working in private ambulances must be trained for all eventualities and public must be able to have confidence in the staff and services.
"Whether providing cover at big events such as music festivals or offering patients transport to and from hospital the highest standards must apply.
"At present independent services are regulated by their contracts with individual NHS boards or the organisations contracting them. That is not sufficient for such a valuable service used largely by people in a vulnerable position.
"Encouragingly those operating independent ambulances want the industry regulated to prevent patients being put at risk from unscrupulous operators.
"I welcome the Scottish Government's intention to look at regulation and hope we will see private ambulances covered by the Care Commission in the near future."
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