Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil is calling for a second ambulance station on Harris to be considered after reports of long delays in sending life saving vehicles to parts of the island.
Mr MacNeil is urging the Scottish Ambulance Service to review provision in South Harris after a recent incident when a casualty in Leverburgh allegedly waited 90 minutes for an ambulance to arrive on the scene.
Mr MacNeil said: “I have been approached by the brother of a casualty who required medical assistance and had to wait 90 minutes for an ambulance to arrive from Stornoway.
“Thankfully, Dr Andrew Naylor, the local GP, was on the scene within minutes, however because the ambulance in Tarbert was busy at the time of this incident, an ambulance had to come from Stornoway.
“We all appreciate the financial implications of having an ambulance based in Leverburgh but what cost can be put on saving a life?
“Leverburgh is the largest village in South Harris, it is a 30 minute drive from the nearest ambulance based in Tarbert, and it is evident that an ambulance should be based in Leverburgh once again.”
He added: “An ambulance based in Leverburgh will provide peace of mind to the community.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “Our staff in the Western Isles work extremely hard, responding to patients in what are often very challenging conditions.
“Ambulance operations in Lewis and Harris are monitored on an ongoing basis and resources and skills mix are reviewed in line with patient demand.
“Local ambulance teams are based in Stornoway, Tarbert and Barvas. They work closely with other clinicians in the community such as GPs and are further supported by volunteer First Responder groups. If required, additional air ambulance support is available, along with Coastguard air response. We would be happy to meet with Mr MacNeil to discuss the matters he has raised and the way in which ambulance care is managed in the area.”