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."

Notes:

1.      The consultation by the previous Scottish Executive can be found at; http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/health/iastr.pdf<http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/health/iastr.pdf>

2.      The correspondence between Ms White and the Minister for Public Health is below;

Dear Minister,

I am writing to you in relation to the provision of private ambulance services in Scotland and their regulation.

I note that in 2005 the ten Scottish Executive issued a consultation paper entitled "Independent Ambulance Services - to regulate" to which it received over 20 responses, many of which called for regulation or expressed concern over some aspects of the operation of private ambulances.

To my knowledge no report has been published and it is still "in the hands of the Government".  I would therefore be grateful if you could provide me with an update as to the current situation with regards to the regulation of Private Ambulances.

Hopefully this will include the Government's stance and future intentions in relation to the regulation of private ambulances.

Yours sincerely
Sandra White MSP

Dear Sandra

Thank you for your recent letter about the regulation of independent ambulance services.

As you are aware a consultation on whether independent ambulance services should be regulated was carried out by the Scottish Executive during January to March 2005 and received 33 responses.  The unanimous view of the respondees was that independent ambulance services 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."

I hope this is helpful

Best Wishes
Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health