Safety concerns over plan to reduce ambulance queues

New plans to reduce the number of ambulances waiting outside Aberdeen Royal Infirmary could risk staff and patient safety, according to a trade union.

Later this month, a new programme will be put in place to allow ambulance staff to take some patients directly into the initial assessment unit to avoid lengthy queues at the hospital entrance.

The Unison union has opposed the change, saying it will add to the pressure faced by hospital staff.

NHS Grampian said there would be additional staff in place to deal with the increased workload.

Martin McKay, of the Grampian branch of Unison, told BBC Scotland News "a lot of staff have raised concerns" and were not confident that appropriate staffing levels would be provided.

He added: "These changes increase the risk to patients and the risk to our members trying to deliver the best patient care increases exponentially.

"All this process is going to do is increase pressure on a hospital already beyond breaking point.

"The real problem is the wider social care system, there is nowhere for patients to move out into."

Unison members have written a letter to NHS Grampian management outlining their opposition to the plans.

Patients being taken to Acute Medical Initial Assessment tend to be referrals from a GP.

Under the new scheme, the doctor will have had a conversation with staff at the hospital before ambulance staff take them directly into the unit.

Adam Coldwells, NHS Grampian's chief executive, said he would listen to the concerns being raised by the union but insisted staff levels would be increased.

He said: "We are not in any way expecting the same group of staff to do more work because everyone is extremely busy already.

"The final bit of work is to make sure we get the right staff model and the right flow of patients through that initial assessment."

The new scheme is expected to be put in place by the end of the month.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "This is a release to rescue protocol based on similar work in England and is aiming to allow our ambulance crews to get back on the road to help patients in local communities across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.”