Politicians and union leaders are urging SNP ministers to intervene amid claims from mercy crews that the ambulance service in the north-east is in crisis.
Paramedics have claimed a brand new vehicle has been left unused because it is an automatic and no one has been trained to use it and that oxygen supplied have had to be rationed because of an ordering blunder.
They have also said they are “overworked” and that morale is at “rock bottom”.
Last night, Unite the Union regional officer Tommy Campbell said he believed “direct government intervention” was needed.
He said: “It’s like the Titanic is sinking, and the Scottish Ambulance Service is rearranging the deck chairs.
“Union members have lost faith in their management, and now want these issues raised at a higher level.”
Tory health spokesman, and Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron challenged Health Secretary Shona Robison to provide answers.
He said: “Worrying examples of conditions for paramedics in the north-east seem to be coming out at an alarming rate, we now need some action.
“Shona Robison must set out not only what she’ll do to improve life for hard-pressed staff, but also how to up performance levels for patients and taxpayers.”
Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour’s health spokesman, added: “Our paramedics can be the difference between life and death for people across Grampian and the whole of Scotland.
“This week the Press and Journal has exposed the incredible pressure and stress paramedics are under – it is now time for the SNP government in Edinburgh to sit up, take notice, and act.”
Ms Robison said: “We value the Scottish Ambulance Service and the dedication of its workers extremely highly.
“We recognise that they provide a first class service, often under challenging and physically demanding circumstances.
“We have invested an extra £11.4million in the Scottish Ambulance Service for 2016-17, which will include the recruitment of 200 extra paramedics as part of our commitment for 1,000 more paramedics to be trained over the next five years.”
Her SNP colleague and Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said his constituency needed to be made a priority for any extra resources.
More than 50% of Elgin’s ambulance crews has been to visit Mr Lochhead with concerns within the last year.
He said: “If we don’t see enough improvement from the promised changes then this becomes all the more urgent.
“I am due to meet the Scottish Ambulance Service again shortly to discuss these urgent issues.”
Milne Weir, general manager of the ambulance’s service’s north division, said: “The Scottish Ambulance Service is continually exploring new ways of working to deliver the safest and most effective service in the Grampian area and across Scotland.
“This includes significant investment in new vehicles, frontline staff and equipment — £77.8million in the national fleet, £5million in additional paramedics and specialist paramedics and £175,000 in major trauma equipment.
“The service is also committed to educating and training members of the public to further extend our responder network in Grampian.”
