ONE MSP has called for urgent action to improve ambulance response times across Scotland.

The target response time to 'category A’, life threatening, emergency calls, is eight minutes, but in many areas it took over 20 minutes before an ambulance was on the scene.

New figures uncovered by Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesman Jim Hume MSP have revealed that in the last year, ambulances have taken more than 20 minutes to respond to life-threatening incidents on nearly 2,700 occasions.

In Dumfries and Galloway, Sanquhar had 12 emergencies take more than 20 minutes before help arrived and in East Ayrshire, Cumnock was narrowly better with 11.

REMOTE In Auchinleck seven emergency calls took more than 20 minutes, Bellsbank had four along with Kirkconnel, Logan and Muirkirk had three, Dalmellington and Burnton had two. Drongan came top of the pile for East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway with just one emergency call taking more than 20 minutes.

Glasgow and Peterhead topped the list as the two worst areas with 47 cases each.

Edinburgh, Hawick, Banff and Dundee all saw 30 or more victims of 'category A’ incidents waiting more than 20 minutes for help.

Kelloholm Councillor John Syme said: “You have to remember that Sanquhar cover Kelloholm and Kirkconnel. It’s also a remote location and the ambulance services need more cover and support.

CONCERNED “They do a brilliant job and it’s not their fault that response times are higher, it’s circumstance. They could be called out anywhere and when they do get there it can be up to 40 minutes to the hospital so it’s hard for our services to have lower response times.” SNP MSP Adam Ingram said: “I’m concerned about the missed targets but it’s difficult to determine if local ambulance stations are performing better or worse than the national average.

“The Scottish Ambulance Service has been working hard to improve on its response times.

“Despite a 10 per cent rise in life threatening calls the average times have been gradually coming down year on year and it’s vital that patients remain confident with the ambulance services.” Mr Hume has called for an urgent investigation into these delays. He warned that Minister need to get a grip on these crucial services and provide Ambulance Service staff with the support they need to improve response times.

TARGET He continued: “When lives are at stake we must do everything we can to reach those who need help as soon as possible. But on 2,700 occasions in the last year alone, it took 20 minutes or more to reach people experiencing a life-threatening incident.

“The eight minute target for responses to serious incidents was introduced for good reason. Ministers now need to look closely at why this is still being missed, and why so many patients have been forced to wait more than double this time to receive medical assistance.

“The Scottish Government needs to get a grip on these crucial services and give Ambulance Service staff the support they need to improve response times.”