Ambulance delays leave one in three to make their own way to hospital

A poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed the shocking number of people who were forced to make their own way to hospital as a result of long ambulance waiting times.

The question was asked to those who say they have called 999 for an ambulance over the past twelve months for either themselves or family members.

Across the UK, a third (34%) of adults who say they have called for an ambulance in the last year for either themselves or a family member, say that they made their own way to hospital due to the lengthy waiting time.

This includes one in six (17%) who drove, one in ten (11%) who took a taxi, and even some (6%) who used public transport due to the wait for an ambulance being too long.

Just half (55%) of adults in the poll who called 999 to request an ambulance say that they waited for an ambulance, despite being in need of medical care.

Communities spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP said:

“These frightening figures reveal the horror of the ambulance crisis.

“People in life-threatening situations need to know that someone will be there to help them when they need it. Tragically and despite the best efforts of hard-pressed paramedics, all across Scotland, this is simply not happening.

"Ministers should apologise to every member of the public forced to make their own way to hospital because the ambulance simply couldn’t turn up in time.  

“The Scottish Government have continuously ignored the warnings of ambulance staff. They have also opposed and voted down Scottish Liberal Democrat proposals to tackle the crisis, such as recruiting more paramedics, a staff burnout prevention strategy and an urgent inquiry into the hundreds of avoidable deaths linked to the emergency care crisis,

 “This is a life-or-death issue and the Government just doesn't seem to get it."