Almost £1 million is being allocated to help reduce pressures on Accident & Emergency departments and improve patient flow during the busy winter months, the Scottish Government has announced.
The Scottish Ambulance Service will receive £995,000 to expand its clinical hub model, which uses GPs to triage patients as calls come in. This approach aims to prevent unnecessary ambulance dispatches and ensure patients receive the right care quickly.
The system was successfully trialled over a weekend in September and is estimated to save 12,000 ambulance journeys over winter, while safely preventing an additional 4,500 patients from being conveyed to Emergency Department front doors.
Neil Gray, Scotland’s Health Secretary, said:
“Improving patient care over the winter months is a priority and this funding will see patients treated faster in the setting which is appropriate for them.
“The measures being taken by the Scottish Ambulance Service will help cut unnecessary ambulance dispatches and improve patient outcomes and experiences through earlier clinical intervention.
“Our winter preparations have also seen a £20 million investment for health board initiatives to increase social care capacity and relieve pressure on acute services.
“And, as the temperature drops, we continue to urge those eligible for the flu vaccine to take up the offer.
“As always I thank all our dedicated health and social care staff who continue to work tirelessly to provide excellent care to all those who need it.”
The funding will also support the expansion of patient transport hubs in areas facing the greatest pressures. These hubs will deploy Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers to identify and coordinate early discharges, reducing handover delays and keeping patient flow moving during periods of high activity.
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